Janet Hadar Takes the Helm at UAB Health System

Janet Hadar is stepping into a big role as the new chief operating officer for the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Health System. She starts on January 12, 2026, bringing a lot of experience to the table. UAB Health System is huge. It covers all 67 counties in Alabama and even reaches beyond the state. With 133 locations, it's the largest health system in Alabama. It includes UAB Hospital, UAB Medical West, and UAB St. Vincent’s, which used to be part of St. Vincent’s Health System before UAB took it over. Now, UAB Health System has over 3, 173 beds and cares for almost 1. 4 million patients every year. It's a big deal for healthcare in Alabama, especially for people in rural areas. Hadar's job will be to oversee the day-to-day operations of UAB Hospital, UAB St. Vincent’s, UAB Medical West, and other related services. She'll also be giving guidance to the hospitals managed by UAB Health System across the state. In her own words, she's excited to make a difference and build relationships with everyone involved. Before joining UAB, Hadar was the president and CEO of the University of North Carolina Hospitals. She spent over 20 years there, starting as the director of care management and working her way up. Under her leadership, UNC Hospitals got a top rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). They also expanded mental health services and built new facilities. Hadar's background is impressive. She's been a consultant, a nurse practitioner, and even worked in intensive care units. She has degrees from Villanova University, the University of Pennsylvania, and Case Western Reserve University. Her experience and education make her a strong fit for the job. Dawn Bulgarella, the CEO of UAB Health System, is thrilled to have Hadar on board. She believes Hadar's leadership will help the health system serve patients, employees, and communities better than ever.