Sutton Installed as 2025–2026 ACHE Chair
Michele K. Sutton, FACHE, is president/CEO, North Oaks Health System, Hammond, La.
She also serves as Chair of the American College of Healthcare Executives, an international professional society of more than 48,000 healthcare executives who lead hospitals, health systems and other healthcare organizations. With comprehensive programs in credentialing, education, career counseling, publications and research, ACHE works toward its goal of being the preeminent professional society for leaders dedicated to advancing health.
Board certified in healthcare management as an ACHE Fellow, Ms. Sutton served as an ACHE Governor from 2020 to 2023 and as the ACHE Regent for Louisiana from 2015 to 2018. She was also president of Louisiana Chapter of Healthcare Executives, an ACHE chapter, in 2014, in addition to serving on various chapter committees.
Ms. Sutton joined North Oaks Health System in 1988 as community resources officer. She served as executive vice president/COO from 2006 to 2016, before assuming her current title.
In addition to her service to ACHE, Ms. Sutton has been a member of the Louisiana Hospital Association since 1988. She is treasurer of its board of trustees and immediate past chair of its political action committee, HOSPPAC. She also is a member of the LHA Trust Funds board of directors and has participated on committees for the American Hospital Association and the Louisiana Department of Health. Furthermore, former Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards appointed Ms. Sutton to serve on the Louisiana Emergency Response Network State Commission, representing hospital service districts.
Ms. Sutton is the recipient of numerous awards and commendations. She received the Distinguished Service Award (2018 and 2022) through ACHE’s Recognition Program, the American Hospital Association Grassroots Champion Award (2022), the AHA PAC Most Valuable Player Award (2019 and 2021), Alumna of the Year Award, presented by the Southeastern Louisiana University Alumni Association (2019), the Chancellor’s Award for College Advancement (2020) and the Distinguished Alumni Award (2023) from Northshore Technical and Community College.
Ms. Sutton earned a master’s degree in business administration and a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, La.
Cárdenas Elected 2025–2026 ACHE Chair-Elect
Noel J. Cárdenas, FACHE, senior vice president/CEO, Memorial Hermann Southeast and Pearland Hospitals, Houston, was installed as ACHE’s Chair-Elect on March 22 during the Council of Regents meeting at the Congress on Healthcare Leadership.
Board certified in healthcare management as an ACHE Fellow, Mr. Cárdenas served as an ACHE Governor from 2022 to 2025, the ACHE Regent for Army from 2013 to 2015, and as president of the ACHE–SouthEast Texas Chapter from 2020 to 2021. He also served on several ACHE committees.
Before assuming his current role in 2020, he was vice president, operations/COO, Memorial Hermann Northeast Hospital, Humble, Texas, from 2015 to 2020. Prior to that, Mr. Cárdenas served in the U.S. Army and Texas National Guard in the following roles: CEO/hospital commander, Reynolds Army Community Hospital, Fort Sill, Okla., from 2013 to 2015; COO, Brooke Army Medical Center/Healthcare System, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, from 2010 to 2013; CEO/commander, 421st Multifunctional Medical Battalion, Wiesbaden, Germany, from 2008 to 2010; CEO/commander, Medical Task Force 421st Multifunctional Medical, Balad, Iraq, from 2008 to 2009; COO, Evans Army Community Hospital, Fort Carson, Colo., from 2006 to 2008; and COO, Raymond W. Bliss Army Health Center, Fort Huachuca, Ariz., from 2004 to 2006.
In addition to his service to ACHE, Mr. Cárdenas is a board member of the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership and Texas A&M University School of Public Health External Advisory Council.
He received the Senior-Level Healthcare Executive Regent Award from ACHE in 2008 and 2023 as well as the Distinguished Service Award (2014) and the Exemplary Service Award (2016) through the ACHE Recognition Program, and an ACHE Governors Award in 2016.
Mr. Cárdenas earned a Master of Healthcare Administration degree from Baylor University, Waco, Texas, and a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Texas, Austin. In 2017, he participated in the Memorial Hermann Physician Network and Rice University Executive Education Program.
Alderfer, Harper, Panlasigui and Wright Elected ACHE Governors
Four ACHE Fellows were elected to serve three-year terms on ACHE’s Board of Governors. Each took office March 22.
Jennifer D. Alderfer, FACHE, is president, Lifepoint Health, Western Division, Brentwood, Tenn.
Board certified in healthcare management as an ACHE Fellow, Ms. Alderfer served as the Regent for Colorado from 2013 to 2016 and on various ACHE committees.
Prior to her current role, Ms. Alderfer served as market president, Intermountain Health’s Montana | Wyoming Market/president, St. Vincent Healthcare, Billings, Mont., from 2021 to 2023. She also served as system transformation officer, SCL Health, Broomfield, Colo., from 2019 to 2021, and president, Good Samaritan Medical Center, Lafayette, Colo, from 2017 to 2021. Ms. Alderfer served HCA’s North Suburban Medical Center in Thornton, Colo., as president/CEO from 2010 to 2017 and COO from 2007 to 2010. She was also associate administrator/COO, HCA The Medical Center of Aurora (Colo.) from 2003 to 2006.
In addition to her service to ACHE, Ms. Alderfer has held several leadership positions in professional and community organizations, including serving on the board of directors for the Colorado Hospital Association and the Montana Hospital Association. She also served on the board of directors for Big Sky Care Connect and the Billings (Mont.) Chamber of Commerce. In 2019, she was the chair of the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women campaign in Denver.
In 2017, Ms. Alderfer was a Denver Business Journal Outstanding Women in Business finalist. She received the Distinguished Service Award (2017) and the Service Award (2014) through ACHE’s Recognition Program. Additionally, she received the Regent Award in 2010 from ACHE.
Ms. Alderfer holds Master of Business Administration and Master of Health Administration degrees from the University of Colorado at Denver and a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Kansas State University.
Corwin N. Harper, FACHE, is president, Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Georgia, Atlanta.
Board certified in healthcare management as an ACHE Fellow, Mr. Harper served as the ACHE Regent-at-Large for District 5 in 2021 and on various ACHE committees.Prior to his current role, Mr. Harper served as CEO, Ochsner LSU Health North Louisiana, Covington, La., from 2023 to 2024. He also served as the regional CEO/chief growth officer, Ochsner Health, New Orleans, from 2021 to 2023; senior vice president/area manager, Kaiser Permanente Napa—Solano Area, Vallejo, Calif., from 2014 to 2021; and senior vice president/area manager, Kaiser Permanente, Modesto, Calif., from 2005 to 2014. He also served Kaiser Permanente, Fresno, Calif., in a variety of roles, including senior vice president/area manager, from 2004 to 2005; medical group administrator/director, hospital operations, from 2002 to 2004; and medical group administrator from 1996 to 2002. Additionally, he served as vice president, professional services, Mt. Sinai Hospital Medical Center, Chicago, from 1994 to 1996.
In addition to his service to ACHE, Mr. Harper serves as a preceptor for the U.S. Army-Baylor University Residency Program. He previously served on the University of the Pacific Board of Regents Finance Committee.
In 2022, Mr. Harper received the Bernard J. Tyson Award from the National Association of Health Services Executives, and Savoy Magazine named him to its “Most Influential Black Executives in Corporate America” list. He also received the Service Award in 2008 through ACHE’s Recognition Program.
Mr. Harper earned a Master of Health Care Administration degree from Baylor University and a bachelor’s degree in biology from The Citadel.
Bonnie Panlasigui, FACHE, is senior vice president, Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara (Calif.) Service Area.
Board certified in healthcare management as an ACHE Fellow, Ms. Panlasigui served as the ACHE Regent-at-Large for District 5 from 2021 to 2023 and on various ACHE committees.
Ms. Panlasigui serves as an adjunct professor for the George Washington University online executive MHA program. Most recently, she served as president, Summa Health Hospitals, Akron, Ohio, from 2023 to 2024. She also served as COO, Dignity Health—St. Mary Medical Center, Long Beach, Calif., from 2018 to 2023; consultant, WittKieffer, from 2016 to 2018, chief administrative officer, Alameda (Calif.) Hospital from 2014 to 2016; and COO, Dupont Hospital—Lutheran Health Network, from 2011 to 2014. Ms. Panlasigui also served as associate administrator, HCA—Riverside (Calif.) Community Hospital and Horizon Medical Center, Nashville, Tenn., from 2006 to 2010.
In addition to her service to ACHE, Ms. Panlasigui serves on the board of Akron Symphony Orchestra and is part of Signature Class 41 with Leadership Akron. She is also president of the George Washington University MHA Alumni Association.
Ms. Panlasigui received the Senior-Level Healthcare Executive Regent Award from ACHE in 2017. Additionally, Ms. Panlasigui was named an “Up & Comer” by Modern Healthcare in 2016. In 2005, she was a founding board member of the Asian Healthcare Leaders Association, which is now ACHE’s Asian Healthcare Leaders Community Committee.
Ms. Panlasigui earned a Master of Health Services Administration degree from George Washington University’s Milken School of Public Health, Washington, D.C., and a bachelor’s degree in health promotion disease prevention from the University of Southern California’s Keck School of Medicine. She also participated in the Summer Enrichment Program through ACHE and the American Hospital Association’s Institute for Diversity and Health Equity.
Peter J. Wright, FACHE, is president/CEO, Northwestern Medical Center, St. Albans, Vt.
Board certified in healthcare management as an ACHE Fellow, Mr. Wright served as the ACHE Regent for New Hampshire from 2012 to 2015 and on various ACHE committees. He was also president of the ACHE of Northern New England chapter from 2010 to 2012, in addition to serving as the chair of various chapter committees.
Prior to his current role, Mr. Wright served as president, Bridgton (Maine) Hospital and Rumford (Maine) Hospital/senior vice president, Central Maine Healthcare, Lewiston, Maine, from 2019 to 2022. He also served as the president/CEO, Valley Regional Healthcare, Claremont, N.H., from 2013 to 2019; COO, Littleton (N.H.) Regional Healthcare, from 2007 to 2013; and senior director of planning, Development/Medical Group Operations, Copley Health Systems, Morrisville, Vt., from 2006 to 2007.
In addition to his service to ACHE, Mr. Wright has held several leadership positions, including serving on the American Hospital Association’s board of trustees and as the chair of the AHA’s regional policy board for New England. He is also a former trustee of Vermont State University. Additionally, he has served as a mentor for the Thomas C. Dolan Diversity in Executive Leadership Program and the AHA Next Generation Leadership Fellowship.
Mr. Wright received the Exemplary Service Award (2014), the Distinguished Service Award (2011) and the Service Award (2008) through ACHE’s Recognition Program. He also received a Regent Award in 2008 from ACHE. He also received the Lyndon State College Loyalty Award in 2007.
Mr. Wright earned a master’s degree in healthcare delivery science from Dartmouth College, a master’s degree in administration from St. Michael’s College and a bachelor’s degree from Lyndon State College.
The elected Regents will represent ACHE members in their respective jurisdictions; Interim Regents and Regents-at-Large will serve until the next election can be held. All individuals are board certified in healthcare management as ACHE Fellows.
Following are the new Regents and Regents-at-Large listed by the jurisdictions they represent:
Air Force: Lt Col Archie R. Phlegar, FACHE
Alaska: Stephanie D. Spencer, FACHE
Arkansas: Adam T. Head, FACHE
California–Northern & Central: Nikhil Singal, FACHE
Connecticut: Ysmael A. Peguero, DBA, FACHE
Florida–Eastern: Haroula P. Norden, FACHE
Illinois–Metropolitan Chicago: Pierre Monice, FACHE
Indiana: Patricia D. Griffin, FACHE
Iowa: John M. Heinemann, FACHE
Kentucky: Lee W. Bewley, PhD, FACHE
Maine: Jennifer M. Goodrich, FACHE
Missouri: Darinda J. Dick, FACHE
New Hampshire: Anne E. Tyrol, RN, FACHE (Interim Regent)
New York–Metropolitan New York: Arthur A. Gianelli, FACHE
North Dakota: Alan J. Hurley, FACHE (Interim Regent)
Rhode Island: Robert M. Weiss, FACHE (Interim Regent)
South Dakota: Ashli B. Danilko, FACHE
Tennessee: Jonathan Puncochar, FACHE (Interim Regent)
Texas–Central & South: Lance Lunsford Jr., FACHE
Veterans Affairs: George Velez, DHA, FACHE
West Virginia & Western Virginia: Erik L. Carlton, DrPH, FACHE
Regent-at-Large, District 1: Jim Zheng, FACHE (Interim Regent)
Regent-at-Large, District 3: Anthony Ashby, FACHE
Regent-at-Large, District 5: Sujit K. Joginpally, MD, FACHE
For additional information about these representatives, visit ache.org/Regents.
Call for Candidates for ACHE’s 2026 Leadership Slate
ACHE’s 2025–2026 Nominating Committee is looking for experienced leaders to serve in ACHE’s top leadership ranks for terms beginning in 2026. ACHE Fellows are eligible for the Chair-Elect and Governor vacancies, as well as the Nominating Committee vacancies within their districts. Those interested in pursuing applications should review the candidate guidelines, which detail the competencies and qualifications required for these roles. Open positions on the slate include:- Nominating Committee member, District 1 (two-year term ending in 2028).
- Nominating Committee member, District 4 (two-year term ending in 2028).
- Nominating Committee member, District 5 (two-year term ending in 2028).
- Four Governors (three-year terms ending in 2029).
- Chair-Elect.
- District 1: Canada, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont
- District 4: Alabama, Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas
- District 5: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming
More details are included in the Candidate Guidelines, including guidance from the Board of Governors to the Nominating Committee regarding the personal competencies of Chair-Elect and Governor candidates and the composition of the Board of Governors.
Candidates for the Nominating Committee should submit a letter of self-nomination and a copy of their resume. Due to the importance and nature of work conducted by the Nominating Committee, candidates should demonstrate effective and successful experience as a healthcare leader and an ACHE volunteer.
Applications to serve and self-nominations should be addressed to Delvecchio S. Finley, FACHE, Nominating Committee Chair, and can be submitted to Kim Rock at krock@ache.org.
All applications must be received by Monday, July 28.
Following the July 28 submission deadline, the committee may meet to determine which candidates for Chair-Elect and Governor will be interviewed. All candidates will be notified of the committee’s decision by Sept. 26, and candidates for Chair-Elect and Governor will be interviewed in person Oct. 23 in Chicago.
If you have any questions, contact Kim Rock at (312) 424-9375 or krock@ache.org.