As part of our ongoing commitment to community excellence, Ascension Sacred Heart is reorganizing its regional strategy. These new promotions and appointments will accelerate growth and strengthen collaboration across our hospitals and facilities in the Pensacola, Panama City, and Destin areas. We are thrilled to announce the following leadership updates:
Drew Stringfellow, MBA, will serve as interim vice president of Strategy for Ascension Sacred Heart. Drew has been with Ascension Sacred Heart since 2022 and previously led regional strategy and business development, partnering with clinical, physician, operational and financial leaders on market intelligence, growth priorities, capital planning and the development of new services and partnerships.
Drew brings more than two decades of healthcare experience spanning strategic planning, business development, physician relations, marketing and product development, with experience across a range of clinical areas, including women’s health, urology, diagnostics and emergency services.
Nikki Ireland joins Ascension Sacred Heart as vice president of Oncology. Nikki brings more than 20 years of healthcare experience, with much of her career dedicated to oncology. She previously served as oncology director at HCA Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah, Georgia, where she led cancer program operations and helped guide the strategy and development of outpatient oncology services.
Throughout her career, Nikki has focused on expanding access and strengthening cancer care. In her current role, she has helped increase lung cancer screening, create more direct pathways to specialty care and advance investments in radiation oncology and diagnostic technology. Before joining HCA, Nikki spent more than 20 years with MedStar Health, where she held progressively responsible roles in oncology, including oncology service line administrator.
Kristen Sylvester has been appointed vice president of Cardiology and Cardiovascular service line forAscension Sacred Heart. Since joining Ascension Medical Group Sacred Heart in 2017, Kristen has led clinic operations across multiple specialties, most recently overseeing cardiology, cardiovascular surgery and other specialty physician practices across the Gulf Coast region. She has partnered closely with physicians to strengthen operations, expand access and support practice growth. Kristen is also a recipient of the Ascension Medical Group Anchor Award, a peer-nominated recognition for leadership, commitment to our values and guiding teams through change.
Brad Nix, vice president of the Neuroscience service line, expands his leadership responsibilities to include Orthopedics for Ascension Sacred Heart. Brad brings more than 14 years of experience with Ascension and has served in several operational leadership roles. His expanded role will help strengthen physician partnerships and support continued growth across these specialty programs.His deep understanding of our ministry and proven leadership will help advance our strategic priorities while meeting the evolving healthcare needs of the communities we are privileged to serve.
