These Greater Philly Healthcare CEOs Embrace the Idea of “Doing Well by Doing Good”

By Eliana Spiess
February 21, 2023

The John Holaday BioHealth Leadership Award has become a permanent fixture of the Annual BioBuzz Awards. The late Holaday was a renowned scientist, CEO, philanthropist, mentor and community leader. To honor his accomplishments and memory, BioBuzz created an award in his name to recognize biohealth leaders who embody Holaday’s personal credo — “do well by doing good”. While this award is given to one individual at the end of each year (see the winner from 2022), there are many industry leaders and changemakers that embody these qualities, many of whom are doing incredible work in Cellicon Valley. 

The Greater Philly biohub is home to a thriving life science industry, with numerous health giants and passionate leaders spearheading growth and progress in the field. Making it to the C-suite is an accomplishment in any field, and these CEOs in particular have dedicated their lives to improving healthcare systems and are actively shaping the future of healthcare. Whether it’s through their strategic business methods or visionary leadership, these CEOs are driving the success of the Philadelphia life science community with a level of care that embodies the spirit of the Holaday award.

Dennis W. Pullin, President and CEO of Virtua Health

Virtua Health is an academic health system that provides preventative, primary, ambulatory, acute, and tertiary care. They have more than 350 locations (including hospitals, emergency departments, and urgent care centers) across South Jersey and Philly. Pullin has been President and CEO since 2017, and in his time at Virtua, he has been instrumental in the acquisition of Lourdes Health System, a network that includes various medical and counseling centers. Additionally, Pullin was largely responsible for the creation of an academic affiliation with Rowan University, resulting in the Virtua Health College of Medicine and Life Sciences. As a strong advocate for health equity, Pullin is dedicated to finding healthcare solutions for all individuals. He was recently named a top diversity leader by Modern Healthcare and expressed that “any conversation about the future of health care must recognize health equity and the duty we share to give people their best chance at living long, healthy lives.”

Outside of his work with Virtua, Pullin is currently a member of the American Hospital Association Board of Trustees, the Economic and Community Advisory Council of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, and the United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey Regional Board of Directors. He has also previously served as a member of numerous nonprofit organizations including Healthcare for the Homeless, Houston Regional HIV/AIDS Resource Group, American Heart Association, and DePelchin Children’s Center, among others. Privately, Pullin is the host of the Here for Good podcast, where he speaks to community leaders about enacting positive change. 

Janice E. Nevin, M.D., MPH, President and CEO of ChristinaCare

ChristinaCare is a network of private hospitals in Deleware and certain parts of Pennsylvania, Maryland, and New Jersey. Their mission is to create innovative, effective, affordable and equitable systems of care. Since being appointed as president and CEO in 2014, Dr. Nevin has tirelessly worked towards fulfilling ChristinaCare’s mission through her commitment to improving healthcare, and making it more assessible and equitable for everyone in the communities she serves.

In her time as CEO, she has been instrumental in the development of CareVio™, a data-driven coordination platform to best support patients’ by addressing their behavioral and social needs in addition to their medical needs. The program has provided patients with a new, more intensive level of support, has resulted in improved health outcomes, and has reduced the cost of care. Additionally, Dr. Nevin spearheaded the development of eBrightHealth ACO, a healthcare organization dedicated to improving care coordination and clinical quality in Delaware and the region. When speaking about the achievements of ChristinaCare, Dr. Nevin expressed that “At ChristianaCare, we are committed to being exceptional today and even better tomorrow… I am deeply grateful for our extraordinary caregivers and for the trust we’ve earned from the communities we are privileged to serve.”

Apart from her work with ChristinaCare, Dr. Nevin is on the board of trustees of the American Hospital Association and is on their Committee on Health Strategy & Innovation. She serves as treasurer of the board of directors of America’s Essential Hospitals and is a member of the organization’s executive committee. She is a member of the United States of Care Founder’s Council and sits on the boards for the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce and Cross Country Healthcare. Additionally, Dr. Nevin is a professor of Family and Community Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University.

Madeline Bell, President and CEO of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

The Children’s Hospital of Philidelphia (CHOP) is one of the highest-ranked children’s hospitals in the U.S. Beginning in 1855, CHOP was the first U.S. hospital dedicated to pediatric care and medicine. Recently, CHOP was awarded first place on Forbes’ 2022 list of America’s Best Large Employers and has continuously served its community. Bell began her work at CHOP as a pediatric nurse in 1983, where she later held many leadership positions, culminating in her appointment as President and CEO in 2015.

Under her leadership, the hospital has developed one of the largest pediatric ambulatory care networks in the country, expanded its 4 million sq ft campus, and created the Center for Advanced Behavioral Healthcare in West Philadelphia. Additionally, Bell has spearheaded the development of many clinical care programs and secured many philanthropic gifts that have been instrumental in furthering CHOP’s mission. 

Independent of CHOP, Bell serves as an advisor to many international hospitals and frequently lectures on women in leadership and children’s healthcare. Additionally, Bell is on the executive committee of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce and serves as the Chair of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia’s Board of Directors. She is also a member of The Economic Club of New York and The College of Physicians of Philadelphia. Separately, Bell hosts the Breaking Through with Madeline Bell podcast where she interviews scientists and doctors from CHOP, as well as other influential innovators and leaders. 

John J. Lynch III, President and CEO of Main Line Health

Main Line Health is a healthcare system with facilities in Philadelphia and various suburbs. They have various locations dedicated to addiction treatment, homecare and hospice, multispecialty physician care, and medical research. Since his start as President and CEO in 2005, Lynch has continuously supported Main Line’s commitment to serving its community with quality care. Under his leadership, the system’s commitment to safety, quality, and equity have only been strengthened. Lynch expressed that “Main Line Health is committed to fostering an equitable, inclusive environment so that all will feel seen, welcomed and – most importantly – receive safe, high quality care.” He has been instrumental in the expansion of additional facilities, the enhancement of technology to provide the best patient care, and the cultivation of a strong work environment. 

Prior to his work at Main Line Health, Lynch held many executive positions at the St. Luke’s Episcopal Health System in Houston, Texas, where he worked for nearly 20 years. While in Houston, he served on the boards of the Greater Houston Hospital Counsel and the Texas Hospital Association. Additionally, Lynch was previously Governor of the American College of Healthcare Executives and currently serves on the boards of The American Heart Association, The Haverford School, the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award Board of Overseers, and the United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey. 

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