Ardent Health names Dave Caspers COO

Ardent Health (ARDT) announced the appointment of Dave Caspers as chief operating officer. In this new role, Caspers will oversee operations across Ardent Health, which includes 30 hospitals and 280 sites of care in six states. He will be responsible for executing on strategic growth initiatives and driving operational excellence at an enterprise level. Caspers will also lead efforts to further optimize and scale the company’s consumer-centric operating model across new and existing markets. Ardent Health also announced the promotion of three senior leaders: Anika Gardenhire has been elevated to chief digital and transformation officer, reflecting the evolving scope of her team’s work in support of digital and business transformation initiatives. Gardenhire, a registered nurse, joined Ardent in 2023 as chief digital and information officer and will continue to lead the company’s technology, consumer services and enterprise project management teams. Rebecca Kirkham has been promoted to senior vice president and chief communications and corporate affairs officer. Kirkham, who joined Ardent in 2021, will continue to lead the company’s communications and corporate affairs functions, which include internal and external communications, reputation and issues management, and culture-building initiatives. Reed Smith has been elevated to senior vice president and chief consumer officer with continued oversight of consumer experience and engagement, including digital, marketing, branding and contact center strategies. Smith, who joined Ardent in 2021, will continue to report to Chief Digital and Transformation Officer Anika Gardenhire.