Veteran healthcare executive Rob Jay is the founding CEO of ScionHealth, leading the development and execution of strategies that will strengthen and grow the Louisville, Kentucky-based health system of 92 specialty and community hospitals, and empower its nationwide team of 25,000 caregivers and healthcare professionals.
As ScionHealth’s CEO, Rob has been a two-time finalist for Modern Healthcare’s list of the Most Influential People in Healthcare, and he was a 2022 recipient of Louisville Business First’s Most Admired CEOs award. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Federation of American Hospitals.
A native of Brandon, Mississippi, Rob holds a bachelor’s degree in professional accountancy from Mississippi State University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Millsaps College.
Highly experienced in strategic planning and enhancing operations in healthcare systems, Danny Brywczynski joined the ScionHealth Executive Leadership Team at the company’s launch in December 2021, and he is now responsible for leading operations of the organization, including our Community Hospital and Specialty Hospital divisions, and our national Support Centers, with a key focus on integration, strategy, innovation, and value-based care.
Danny previously held the positions of President of Specialty Hospitals and Executive Vice President of Integrated Operations for ScionHealth and Vice President of Integration for Lifepoint Health. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business management and finance from Wittenberg University.
Dr. Dean French provides strategic leadership overseeing the company’s physician, clinical, and quality strategies. His priorities are to instill best practices for optimal patient care and to establish a legacy of strong and compassionate, clinical and physician leadership. At ScionHealth, he created and implemented the evidenced-based National Quality Strategy for all Community and Specialty Hospitals. Dr. French is an experienced medical executive and C-suite leader with a 20-year track record of quality, clinical, operational, and financial success, having served as CEO and CMO for many hospitals. Most recently, he served as the CEO of Northwestern Medical Center in Saint Albans, Vermont, and has been an active board member in a variety of organizations.
In addition to his distinguished career as a physician leader, Dr. French proudly and honorably served in the U.S. Army Special Forces (Airborne) in active and reserve duty for nearly nine years. He earned a medical degree from the University of Washington School of Medicine and a bachelor’s degree in microbiology with honors from the University of Arizona.
Veteran healthcare executive Doug Shirley serves as Chief Financial Officer of ScionHealth, overseeing financial strategy and revenue cycle operations to support the organization’s mission of delivering high-quality care. With more than 25 years of experience in healthcare finance, Doug has led financial transformation efforts across public, private, and nonprofit healthcare organizations, driving operational improvements and long-term growth.
Doug holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Georgia and is an active member of the Healthcare Financial Management Association and the American College of Healthcare Executives. He is also commissioned as a Kentucky Colonel, recognizing his contributions to the community.
Jack Seal leads ScionHealth’s legal strategy across the enterprise. He joined ScionHealth in 2025 with over two decades of experience shaping legal departments, resolving complex challenges, and driving strategic success in the highly regulated healthcare industry. Prior to ScionHealth, he was the Chief Legal Officer of GenesisCare and General Counsel of GI Alliance. His extensive background in the healthcare industry includes deep expertise in physician arrangements, regulatory law, corporate transactions, risk management, compliance, department leadership, and policy implementation. Jack brings leadership, insight, and a pragmatic approach to every facet of legal operations.
Jack earned his law degree from the University of Tennessee College of Law.
Michelle Rigby leads all human resources operations and strategic people initiatives at ScionHealth, bringing more than 25 years of HR leadership across hospitals, health plans, and Pharmacy Benefit Managers. Michelle oversees a nationwide team specializing in employee benefits, total rewards, talent acquisition, onboarding, and other employee relations functions. Since joining ScionHealth in 2023, she has led efforts to integrate and elevate HR practices, build employee engagement, and align workforce strategy with business growth. She was promoted from interim to permanent CHRO in 2025.
In addition to her HR expertise, Michelle has extensive ethics and compliance leadership experience and holds the credentials of Certified Fraud Examiner and Certified in Healthcare Compliance.
Seasoned healthcare executive Russell Pigg joined ScionHealth in 2024 to lead its Community Hospital Division, a network of acute care community hospital campuses and associated health systems. A former CEO of multiple community hospitals and health systems, Russell brings over two decades of leadership experience in hospital operations, physician recruitment, and service line development.
Throughout his career, Russell has spearheaded major capital investments and launched pivotal initiatives such as residency training programs and expanded specialty services. These efforts have earned him recognition for driving strategic growth, enhancing operational efficiency, and fostering high levels of staff engagement.
Mark LaRoche is President of ScionHealth’s Specialty Hospital Division – East, overseeing operations for nearly 30 long-term acute care hospitals in the Coastal and MidAmerica regions. A leader within ScionHealth and the legacy Kindred Healthcare organization since 2013, Mark was elevated to his current role in 2024 after previously serving as SVP of Operations for the Coastal Region. He’s known for championing patient care, implementing top-tier quality programs, and driving strong clinical and operational outcomes.
Mark serves on the Board of Directors for Region Three of the American Hospital Association. He is also a military veteran, having served as an engineer in the U.S. Army from 1986 to 1992, including service in Operation Desert Storm.
As President of ScionHealth’s Specialty Hospital Division – West, Linn Billingsley oversees operations of the health system’s nearly 40 long-term acute care hospitals across the Pacific and Southwest regions. Linn, who has been with ScionHealth and the legacy Kindred Healthcare organization for over two decades, was elevated to her current role in 2024 after previously serving as SVP of Operations for the Pacific Region. Prior to that, she spearheaded the Integrated Care Market in Las Vegas.
Linn is Vice Chair of the Silver State ACO Governing Board, representing ScionHealth's interests in an organization serving nearly 40,000 Medicare beneficiaries in Nevada. Linn has also held multiple leadership roles with the American Lung Association, and she sits on the Board of Trustees for Nathan Adelson Hospice.
With more than three decades of experience as a healthcare executive and clinical leader, James Poullard oversees ScionHealth’s clinical-adjacent services and operations-support functions – including pharmacy, supply chain, lab services, nutrition services, and public safety – in addition to leading the company’s equitable-care and energy-sustainability initiatives. James prioritizes high-quality patient outcomes while also driving financial and operational efficiencies for the organization. A leader within ScionHealth and the legacy Kindred Healthcare organization since 2007, James was elevated to his current role in 2024.
A veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, James holds the degrees of Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Arizona and Master of Business Administration from Our Lady of the Lake University, along with a graduate certificate in finance from Colorado State University. James has been named to Becker’s Healthcare’s list of Black Healthcare Leaders to Know.
64We treat some of the most medically complex patients in 64 Specialty Hospitals (LTACHs) in 16 states.
15We deliver essential, acute care to patients in 15 Community Hospitals (STACHs) in 11 states.
