• John Bluford was named chair-elect of the American Hospital Association (AHA; Washington). Bluford is president/CEO of Truman Medical Centers in Kansas City. Bluford will assume the chairmanship in 2011. The AHA is a not-for-profit association of health care provider organizations that are committed to health improvement in their communities.

• AmSurg (Nashville, Tennessee) said that Steven Geringer, who has been an AmSurg director since 1997, has succeeded Thomas Cigarran as chairman of the board. Geringer is the former president/CEO of PCS Health Systems. AmSurg acquires, develops and operates ambulatory surgery centers in partnership with physician practice groups throughout the U.S.

• Patricia Morrison was named chief information officer of Cardinal Health (Dublin, Ohio). Previously, Morrison was CIO at Motorola. Cardinal Health makes various products to assist the hospital, physician, and pharmaceutical fields.

• Tenet Healthcare (Dallas) said that Deborah Keel has been named CEO for North Fulton Hospital, a 202-bed hospital located in Roswell, Georgia, effective Sept. 1, 2009. Keel most recently was CEO for Fountain Valley Regional Hospital and Medical Center. Tenant Healthcare owns and operates acute care hospitals and related ancillary health care businesses.