Saint Thomas Health, part of Ascension, recently introduced Ruth Portacci as vice president of strategy. In her new role, she will provide support to the chief strategy officer and will oversee the system's growth portfolio, including supporting enactment of Saint Thomas Health's service line and continuity of care initiatives. She is also tasked with helping position the organization for future growth opportunities.

Previously, Portacci served as principal of Healthcare Strategy Partners, a healthcare consulting firm based in Nashville. Prior to that role, she was a senior director of strategy and marketing at Community Health Systems. She has served on the American Hospital Association's Society for Healthcare Strategy and Market Development (SHSMD) board for the past nine years and was board president in 2017.