๐๐ฎ๐ป ๐ง๐ผ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ป๐ถ๐ฐ๐ธ๐ฒ Appointed as Vice President, Strategic Access Operations at University Hospitals โ Championing Seamless Healthcare Access and Patient-Centered Transformation
In todayโs rapidly evolving healthcare ecosystem, access to care is not just an operational functionโit is the foundation of the patient experience. Healthcare providers worldwide are reimagining how patients connect with care, from initial scheduling and registration to follow-ups and advanced treatments. At the heart of this transformation stands Dan Towarnicke, a seasoned healthcare leader whose career journey exemplifies a unique blend of operational expertise, visionary thinking, and deep commitment to patient-centered outcomes.
University Hospitals (UH), a leading integrated healthcare system in Northeast Ohio, has announced the appointment of Dan Towarnicke as Vice President, Strategic Access Operations. In this new role, Dan will spearhead the organizationโs Care Connections and Access Strategy, overseeing enterprise registration, authorizations, call center operations, and digital access solutions, while forging strategic partnerships to create a seamless, efficient, and compassionate care journey for patients.
๐ ๐ฉ๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ฃ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐๐ฐ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐๐
Danโs mandate goes beyond traditional operational oversight. His vision is centered on creating a digital-first, frictionless access experience that removes barriers and builds trust. By modernizing call center strategy, integrating enterprise-wide scheduling, and ensuring accuracy in registrations and authorizations, he aims to design a system where patients experience healthcare as seamless, timely, and empowering.
His approach aligns with UHโs commitment to ensuring that every patient, regardless of background or geography, can easily connect to high-quality care. By focusing equally on consumer experience, operational efficiency, and financial sustainability, Danโs leadership is set to redefine how UH delivers on its mission of patient-centered care.
๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ป ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ต๐ถ๐ฝ ๐ฎ๐ ๐จ๐ป๐ถ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ถ๐๐ ๐๐ผ๐๐ฝ๐ถ๐๐ฎ๐น๐
Dan is not stranger to the UH system. Prior to this appointment, he served as Senior Director, Care Connections Access (2023โ2025), where he managed hospital-based patient access services, including scheduling, registration, insurance verification, and revenue cycle functions. His leadership significantly improved operational accuracy, reduced wait times, and enhanced the overall patient journey.
Earlier, as Vice President of Perioperative Services at Cleveland Medical Center (2017โ2023), Dan led surgical and procedural operations across multiple practice sites. He worked hand-in-hand with surgical, anesthesia, and nursing teams to optimize operating room utilization, improve safety, and deliver consistent, high-quality experiences to patients undergoing complex procedures. This role cemented his reputation as a leader capable of aligning clinical excellence with operational innovation.
๐๐น๐ผ๐ฏ๐ฎ๐น ๐๐บ๐ฝ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ ๐ฎ๐ ๐๐น๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐น๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐น๐ถ๐ป๐ถ๐ฐ
Before joining UH, Dan spent over 13 years at the Cleveland Clinic, one of the worldโs most respected healthcare institutions. There, he held diverse leadership roles, including Senior Director of Heart & Vascular Institute Surgical Services and Director of International Operations.
At the Heart & Vascular Institute, he oversaw surgical service lines, ensuring excellence in cardiovascular care delivery. As Director of International Operations, he built and managed affiliate programs across continents, driving consulting engagements, strategic partnerships, and global collaborations. His work not only expanded Cleveland Clinicโs global footprint but also reinforced his ability to bridge cultures, geographies, and healthcare systems under a unified vision of excellence.
๐๐ ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ถ๐๐ฒ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ฆ๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ป๐ด๐๐ต๐
- Healthcare Access & Revenue Cycle Optimization
- Digital Transformation & Patient Experience
- Perioperative & Surgical Services Management
- Process Improvement & Operational Excellence
- Global Affiliate Programs & Partnerships
- Leadership Development & Team Building
Danโs professional journey reflects expertise across key domains:
This unique mix of skills positions him as a transformational leader capable of building systems that balance clinical outcomes with business sustainability.
๐๐ผ๐ผ๐ธ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฑ
As Vice President of Strategic Access Operations, Dan Towarnicke is set to play a critical role in advancing University Hospitalsโ mission of โAdvancing the Science of Health and the Art of Compassion.โ His leadership will directly impact thousands of patients by ensuring that healthcare is not only accessible but also seamless, personalized, and efficient.
At CXO Gateway, we celebrate leaders like Dan Towarnicke, who combine vision, resilience, and innovation to reimagine healthcare delivery. His appointment underscores UHโs commitment to transforming patient access into a driver of trust, equity, and excellenceโand reflects the power of leadership in shaping the future of global healthcare.