June 30, 2026 – Healthcare Outcomes Performance Company (HOPCo) has appointed Ashley Vertuno as chief executive officer of its Arizona market, effective July 1, 2026, strengthening its leadership team as the musculoskeletal care organization continues expanding its physician-led, value-based care model.
In her new role, Vertuno will oversee HOPCo’s Arizona operations, including The CORE Institute and The CORE Institute Specialty Hospital in Phoenix, as well as Elevation Surgery Center and Northern Arizona Orthopaedics in Flagstaff. She will be responsible for leading one of the nation’s largest integrated musculoskeletal care platforms, with a focus on operational performance, physician alignment and strategic growth.
Vertuno joins HOPCo after nearly 10 years with HCA Healthcare, where she most recently served as chief executive officer of HCA Florida JFK North Hospital in West Palm Beach. During her tenure, she led the hospital, affiliated physician groups and ambulatory surgery centers through a period of expansion, overseeing initiatives that strengthened operational and financial performance while broadening access to specialty healthcare services.
HOPCo President and Chief Transformation Officer Dr. Wael Barsoum said Vertuno’s experience leading complex healthcare organizations and building strong physician partnerships made her a natural fit for the role. He said her ability to align clinical teams with operational strategy will support the company’s efforts to advance value-based musculoskeletal care across Arizona.
While leading HCA Florida JFK North Hospital, Vertuno directed several clinical expansion initiatives and supported the growth of specialty service lines, including orthopedics, robotics, cardiovascular care, oncology, behavioral health and women’s health. She also helped guide strategic capital investments and initiatives designed to strengthen physician collaboration and improve patient access to specialized care.
Under her leadership, the hospital earned multiple Healthgrades Patient Safety Excellence Awards and recognition for Excellence in Adult Mental Health Care. Vertuno has also been recognized by the American College of Healthcare Executives with the Robert S. Hudgens Memorial Award for Healthcare Executive of the Year.
Sarah Muller, HOPCo’s chief integration officer, said Vertuno’s collaborative leadership style and operational expertise will help strengthen the organization’s Arizona market while supporting continued integration across its physician practices and care delivery network.
Vertuno said she is excited to join HOPCo and work alongside its physicians and clinical teams to expand access to musculoskeletal care while continuing to improve patient outcomes. She said the organization has built a strong foundation in Arizona and she looks forward to supporting its next phase of growth through greater collaboration and operational excellence.
Throughout her career, Vertuno has focused on aligning physicians, administrators and clinical teams around shared strategic goals while fostering cultures centered on accountability, innovation and quality care. She has also contributed to national discussions on healthcare leadership, workforce development and organizational transformation.
Her appointment comes as healthcare providers increasingly invest in experienced executive leadership to support integrated care delivery and value-based reimbursement models. Musculoskeletal care has become a growing area of focus for health systems and physician organizations seeking to improve clinical outcomes while reducing the overall cost of care through coordinated treatment pathways.
HOPCo partners with physician practices, health systems, payers and medical technology companies to implement value-based musculoskeletal care models that emphasize quality, consistency and cost efficiency. The company’s global network supports healthcare organizations in both established and emerging markets as they adopt clinically integrated approaches to orthopedic and musculoskeletal care.
source: https://www.citybiz.co/article/867701/hopco-names-ashley-vertuno-ceo-of-arizona-market/