**The big picture:** Adventist HealthCare has named Opal Howard as its new Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, effective October 1, 2026. **Why it matters:** This executive appointment highlights the strategic importance of HR leadership in large healthcare systems, focusing on talent development, culture, and workforce alignment with organizational goals. **Between the lines:** - Howard brings over 30 years of HR leadership experience from AdventHealth, including leading workforce strategy for over 12,000 team members. - Her background includes significantly reducing employee turnover and guiding HR operating model transitions. - She holds an MBA in healthcare management and is a SHRM-SCP certified professional. **Staffing & HR impact:** Howard's role will focus on strengthening culture and advancing strategies to support team members, directly influencing talent acquisition, retention, and overall HR operational efficiency within the healthcare system. **The bottom line:** This move signals Adventist HealthCare's continued investment in robust HR leadership to navigate complex workforce challenges in the healthcare sector.