CONYERS, Ga. - Richard Tanzella, chief operating officer of Piedmont’s Physician Enterprise, will take over as CEO of Rockdale Medical Center when it becomes the eighth hospital in the Piedmont Healthcare system. The hospital’s current CEO Alan George will remain with LifePoint Health when the medical center becomes Piedmont Rockdale Hospital, targeted for next month.

Tanzella joined Piedmont in 2009 to lead operations for Piedmont Heart Institute. As Piedmont’s Physician Enterprise evolved, Tanzella’s role expanded to include management of more than 600 employed physicians. Within that group, he has had oversight of 100 cardiovascular specialists and managed more than 250 inpatient acute and ICU beds, cardiovascular operating rooms, catheterization labs and comprehensive outpatient services.

“Richard helped pave the way for advancements in cardiovascular care in the Rockdale community through our partnership and I’m confident he’ll be able to build upon that success in his new role,” Kevin Brown, CEO of Piedmont Healthcare, said. “His extensive strategic leadership experience paired with the exceptional operational results will make him a great leader for Piedmont’s newest hospital.”

“Over the past three years, I’ve gotten to know area physicians really well through our clinical affiliation and I look forward to continuing our work improving the health and well-being of the Rockdale community,” Tanzella said.

Prior to joining Piedmont Healthcare, Tanzella was responsible for physician services and market development at Northeast Georgia Health System. He also worked at Athens Regional as executive director of their health plan.

For more information, visit piedmont.org.