EDUCATION: Bachelorโs degree in biology, University of Chicago, Illinois; masterโs degree in hospital administration, George Washington University, Washington, D.C.; masterโs degree in health law, Seton Hall University, South Orange, New Jersey
RESUME: Administrative resident, Memorial Healthcare System, Hollywood, Florida; associate administrator, HCA Northside Hospital and Heart Institute, St. Petersburg, Florida; chief operating officer, HCA South Bay Hospital, Sun City Center, Florida; chief operating officer, HCA Aventura Hospital and Medical Center, Aventura, Florida; chief operating officer, HCA Fawcett Memorial Hospital and Englewood Community Hospital, Port Charlotte, Florida; vice president, support services/cardiac administrator, UF Health Central Florida, Leesburg, Florida; south region president, Ascension St. Vincent Evansville (August 2022-present)
HOMETOWN: Tampa, Florida
FAMILY: Wife Theresa; children Josh and Liam
The son and brother of physicians, Alex Chang thought he would follow in their footsteps. Instead, hospital administration called his name. After more than 20 years as a health care executive, Chang relocated in 2022 from Florida to Indiana to lead Ascension St. Vincentโs South Region. He feels right at home in Evansville.
โ[I] didnโt know anything about Evansville before this,โ he says. โIt turned out to be a really great move. I think itโs one of those areas where you discover the city if you didnโt grow up here, and then you realize all it has to offer.โ
DESCRIBE YOUR JOURNEY FROM FLORIDA TO INDIANA.
I was a cook in the cafeteria at my local hospital in my later years of high school. I thought I was going to be a physician. As a junior in college, I couldnโt see myself going to school for another 7-10 years, so I pivoted and decided I would be able to serve in a health care capacity much greater if I went into hospital administration. … At the end of 2021, I left the University of Florida. … I wanted to find a role in this system that had a faith-based focus, and after some searching, this position came open, and I found that it was a real connection.
DID YOU ANTICIPATE BECOMING A REGIONAL PRESIDENT OF A HEALTH CARE SYSTEM?
I think that was the ultimate goal. Iโve tried to focus on improving care wherever Iโve been, in whatever executive role Iโve been, and so this is the culmination of a dream Iโve had, but also in the right circumstance. I could have been president much earlier in other areas, but itโs where you want to put roots down and then also who you want to be working for or be part of. So thatโs why I think Iโm lucky that Iโve been able to become president, but in the right circumstance.
WHATโS ON THE HORIZON FOR ASCENSION ST. VINCENT EVANSVILLE?
This system, whether itโs St. Maryโs or St. Vincentโs, has always had a rich and storied tradition. Itโs always been a really strong health care provider, and itโs always treated the community well.
We continue to look at how we strengthen our community ties, make sure the health care services we perform are our highest caliber, and weโre looking at more access points to serve the community. We are doing a major renovation of our womenโs hospital. We have completely redesigned the mother baby unit [and] our emergency obstetrics department and are now moving to our new labor and delivery suites. … Weโre also trying to recruit physicians who come to Evansville and the surrounding areas so that we make sure we have great providers.
HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE ASCENSION GROW REGIONALLY?
I think we want to continue to build upon creating access points for people to seek health care in all different areas. People want to be as close to health care as they can get, so I want to grow for folks that need primary care on the West Side, Newburgh, Henderson, and those surrounding areas. We want to continually strengthen our tertiary-level services so that when people need emergency care, they come to us.
