WakeMed names new executive VP/chief operating officer

Gettinger comes from Moses Cone Health System in Greensboro, a five-hospital, 1,168-bed system with more than 7,000 employees.

During his nearly 20-year tenure at Moses Cone, Gettinger served in numerous leadership positions, including his most recent role as executive vice president for the Moses Cone Health System and president of Moses Cone Memorial Hospital, a 546-bed hospital in Greensboro.

At WakeMed, Gettinger will be responsible for the overall performance of all facilities in the health system including planning, financial and operational performance, and will serve as the daily advisor to the CEO on all matters.

Following a national search, Gettinger was selected "for his demonstrated expertise in running a comparable health system in North Carolina, with similar services, strengths and opportunities," according to a statement from WakeMed. "He brings years of operational leadership expertise in numerous service areas, including cardiovascular and women’s services, among others."

Among his major accomplishments, Gettinger recently led the planning and design for Moses Cone’s largest construction project in history and helped the system achieve dramatic growth in key service line areas such as orthopaedics and neurosciences.

"He also has an outstanding track record for raising patient satisfaction in many hospitals throughout his career, and is highly regarded for building strong relationships with both employees and physicians," according to WakeMed.

We had an opportunity to speak with a large number of highly qualified and experienced candidates," said WakeMed President and CEO Dr. Bill Atkinson. "Tom was a standout choice amongst a highly qualified, widely experienced, and stellar group of health care leaders."

Gettinger holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Wake Forest University and a master’s degree in health administration from the Duke University Fuqua School of Business.