Raleigh, N.C. — Rick Gannotta, who has served as chief operating officer of Duke Raleigh Hospital for six years, will shift to the hospital's top spot next year.

Gannotta will succeed President Doug Vinsel, who announced his retirement in August.

Prior to joining Duke, Gannotta worked for 12 years at WakeMed's Raleigh campus, including stints as senior vice president and administrator, vice president of operations and patient care, chief nursing officer and executive director of the WakeMed Heart Center.

He also teaches at the Duke University School of Nursing, serving as a faculty member for the health care leadership track. His research interests include patient safety, new models of care delivery and health care policy and reform.

A registered nurse and nurse practitioner, he received his undergraduate degree from Florida International University, a master of business administration from Campbell University and doctorate in health care administration from the Medical University of South Carolina.