NorthShore – Edward-Elmhurst Health Announces Key Leadership Appointments
Gabrielle Cummings to be Evanston Hospital President; Dave Rahija named President, System Medical Group Operations
Evanston – Oct. 9, 2023 – NorthShore – Edward-Elmhurst Health (NS-EEH) has announced that Gabrielle Cummings will assume the role of President, Evanston Hospital & NorthShore Acute and Ambulatory Operations, effective Jan. 1, 2024. Cummings will take over for Douglas (Doug) Silverstein, the current President of Evanston Hospital, who will retire at the end of 2023 following 42 years of service with the organization.
In her new role, Cummings will have responsibility for the operations of Evanston Hospital and serve as the senior operations executive for the NorthShore Hospitals group that includes Evanston, Glenbrook, Highland Park and Skokie Hospitals. She’ll also retain her leadership of the NS-EEH Laboratory & Pathology service line as part of her expanded role. Cummings has been the President of Highland Park Hospital since 2018, a tenure highlighted by improved performance at the hospital and across NorthShore acute care services, and her exceptional leadership during Highland Park Hospital’s response to and recovery from the mass shooting at the Highland Park Independence Day parade on July 4, 2022.
Dave Rahija, currently President, Skokie Hospital, has been named President, NS-EEH Medical Group Operations, where he’s working with Sanjeeb Khatua, MD, Chief Physician Executive, NS-EEH, to achieve the goal of a single medical group for the system’s employed physicians. Rahija also serves as the System Executive responsible for the Orthopaedic & Spine Institute. Rahija led the 2019 transformation of Skokie Hospital into a nationally ranked orthopaedic hospital and Illinois’ only specialty hospital for orthopaedic and spine patients.
“We’re very excited to announce the new leadership structure for our hospitals in Evanston, Glenbrook, Highland Park and Skokie, and for our NS-EEH integrated medical group,” said Sean O’Grady, President, North Region, NS-EEH. “Gabrielle and Dave are tremendous leaders with proven track records who are ideally suited to guide our team members through this new and exciting era of healthcare and maintain the delivery of safe, seamless and personal care to our patients.”
In light of Rahija’s system responsibilities, Gus Granchalek will as assume the role of President of Skokie Hospital on Jan. 1, 2024. Over the past five years, Granchalek has served as the operational leader responsible for growth and high-level quality outcomes in NorthShore’s Surgical Services service line.
After 21 years of dedicated service, Jesse Peterson Hall, President, Glenbrook Hospital, will retire from NorthShore in the summer of 2024 following the launch of the Cardiovascular Institute at Glenbrook Hospital scheduled for spring 2024.
Maria Knecht, RN, Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer, Glenbrook Hospital, will assume the role of President of Glenbrook Hospital. Over the past 15 years, Knecht has served in a variety of nursing and operational leadership roles.
With Cummings’ promotion, Nikki Fernandez, RN has been appointed President, Highland Park Hospital and NorthShore Chief Nursing Officer. Over her 24-year tenure at NorthShore, Fernandez has served in various nursing and operational leadership roles with a focus on driving quality and enhancing nursing collaboration.
“I’m honored and excited about the opportunity to lead NorthShore’s hospitals and look forward to working with our team of new presidents,” said Cummings. “Nikki, Gus and Maria are seasoned leaders who know and are part of our communities and will ensure continuity in providing the high quality of care our patients are accustomed to and deserve.”