Good Samaritan Announces Appointment of New Chief Administrative Officer, Wendy Hernandez

Good Samaritan is pleased to announce that Wendy Hernandez, FACHE, CHCIO, has officially begun her tenure as the organization’s new Chief Administrative Officer. She will take over Adam Thacker’s current responsibilities in preparation for him moving into the President/Chief Executive Officer role in January.

Hernandez brings more than 20 years of health care leadership experience across hospital operations, clinical support services, and enterprise performance improvement. Most recently, she served as System Vice President at Indiana University Health, where she oversaw enterprise operations for Information Systems applications. Prior to that role, she led regional operations teams in pharmacy, laboratory, radiology, service lines, infection prevention, and clinical education.

Throughout her career, Hernandez has championed large-scale initiatives that delivered measurable, systemwide improvements, including a $26 million cost reduction and a 30% decrease in readmissions through innovative population health strategies. She is widely recognized for her structured, data-driven, and collaborative leadership style.

“Wendy’s commitment to operational excellence, strategic growth, and the development of emerging leaders aligns closely with our organization’s PRIDE values — Patients, Respect, Integrity, Dignity, and Excellence,” said Adam Thacker, Good Samaritan President. “Her passion for serving communities like ours makes her an exceptional addition to our leadership team.”

A native of Indiana, Hernandez understands the critical role local, independent hospitals play in strengthening community health and improving quality of life. In her new role, she will oversee clinical and operational areas, collaborate closely with the physician network, and help advance Good Samaritan’s long-term strategic goals.

“I’m thrilled to join the Good Samaritan team,” stated Wendy Hernandez, Good Samaritan Chief Administrative Officer. “I’ve long admired the outstanding care they provide to southwestern Indiana and southeastern Illinois, as well as the strong community relationships that come from being an independent hospital, values that deeply resonate with me. I believe we have an exciting opportunity to build on our strengths and explore innovative ideas and approaches that will shape the future of health care in our region. I look forward to working alongside the team to make a lasting, positive impact for our patients and community.”

Good Samaritan welcomes Hernandez as she steps into this important leadership role and begins connecting with employees, physicians, and community partners in the weeks ahead.