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.