Katrina Keefer, a senior health care executive with one of the nation’s largest academic medical centers, has been named executive vice president for health affairs at Augusta University and chief executive officer for Augusta University Health System, effective July 15.

Keefer currently serves as senior vice president and chief financial officer for Baptist Health, an affiliate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham Health System that includes three acute care hospitals, a psychiatric hospital, a regional cancer center and numerous outpatient facilities in central Alabama. Throughout her 17-year tenure with UAB Health System, Keefer has played key roles in public finance, affiliation and acquisition transactions.

“Katrina comes to us with an impressive track record of effective financial leadership within a premier health system,” said Augusta University President Brooks A. Keel, PhD. “I am confident that her background in health system strategy and finance will ensure our financial health and sustainability, as well as improve the patient experience for everyone who enters our doors.”

As the chief executive officer for AU Health, Keefer will oversee the 478-bed Augusta University Medical Center, the 154-bed Children’s Hospital of Georgia, Roosevelt Warm Springs Rehabilitation and Specialty Hospitals, Georgia Correctional Healthcare, Georgia War Veterans Nursing Home and more than 80 outpatient clinics and ambulatory sites.

“I am energized by the opportunity to join Augusta University at such an important time,” Keefer said. “I am looking forward to working with the team of dedicated faculty and staff to expand the patient-focused clinical care platform in order to advance the teaching and research missions of AU Health and the Medical College of Georgia.”

Prior to being named senior vice president and chief financial officer for Baptist Health in 2007, Keefer served as treasurer for UAB Health System and acted as liaison with IBM for the New York City Department of Finance to facilitate a citywide e-government initiative. She also worked as a project consultant to the New York City Partnership and Chamber of Commerce in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. In addition, Keefer served as the ombudsman for the Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service at New York University, associate director of the Alabama-West Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church and assistant director of admissions for Huntingdon College.

Keefer received her bachelor’s degree in business administration from Huntington College and her master’s in public administration from New York University.