Indiana University Health announces executive leadership changes in Greater Lafayette and surrounding counties

• These leaders support the organization’s West Region, which includes IU Health Arnett, Frankfort, Tipton and White Memorial hospitals.
• The addition of a Chief Operating Officer, Critical Access Hospitals to the region’s executive team signifies the organization’s commitment to rural health and keeping care close to home for Hoosiers.

Lafayette, Ind. – Indiana University Health has made several additions to its executive team in the organization’s West Region, which includes IU Health Arnett, Frankfort, Tipton and White Memorial hospitals and associated outpatient and administrative offices.

These additions position IU Health to strengthen its leadership position in the region, especially as the organization looks to make strategic growth and enhance its commitment to rural health, keeping care close to home for Hoosiers.

“We are thrilled to add these outstanding professionals to our leadership team,” says Art Vasquez, president of the Indiana University Health West Region. “Going forward, our regional executive team will have a more diverse representation. Each of these committed leaders, will strengthen our regional strategy and decision-making. I am confident these changes will bring valuable perspectives and steer our collective vision toward making Indiana one of the healthiest states.”

James Emerson, MD, named Chief Medical Officer

James Emerson, MD, has been selected as the next Chief Medical Officer (CMO) for the West Region of Indiana University Health, responsible for ensuring the highest quality medical care is delivered at Arnett, Frankfort, Tipton and White Memorial hospitals.

Emerson joined Arnett Hospital in 2014 as a hospitalist physician. In the years since, he has served in progressively advancing roles, including leading the hospitalist department and the inpatient physician and advanced practice provider teams through the COVID-19 pandemic. He has also served as the medical director of the hospital’s Adult Inpatient Services and the medical director of Quality and Safety. 

Star Meyer, JD, BSN, RN, named Chief Nursing Officer 

Star Meyer, JD, BSN, RN, is the Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) for the organization’s West Region, leading the nursing team at IU Health hospitals and outpatient practices in Clinton, Tippecanoe, Tipton and White counties.

For nearly 20 years, Meyer has served in progressively advancing clinical and administrative leadership positions within IU Health and has many years of hands-on experience as a registered nurse, having held patient care positions in both hospital and outpatient locations throughout her career.

LaShelle Tipton, MBA, named Chief Practice Officer

As Chief Practice Officer, LaShelle Tipton, MBA, oversees operations in the organization’s outpatient provider practices, ensuring IU Health consistently aligns its initiatives with patient needs and market opportunities.

Tipton has a combined 15 years of experience at IU Health and IU School of Medicine throughout her career, where she has led several high-performing ambulatory practices. Most recently, she has served as executive director of the Neuroscience Institute at IU Health and IU School of Medicine, where she led multidisciplinary teams and implemented strategic initiatives to enhance patient outcomes and organizational effectiveness.

Liesel Delamater, DNP, RN, ACNS-BC, NE-BC, named Chief Operating Officer, Critical Access Hospitals

Liesel Delamater, DNP, RN, ACNS-BC, NE-BC, is the Chief Operating Officer (COO), Critical Access Hospitals, supporting IU Health Frankfort, Tipton and White Memorial hospitals.

These hospitals, known as critical access hospitals, provide essential health services—close to home—for the communities they serve. The addition of an executive leader solely focused on shaping and executing the organization’s rural health strategy signifies IU Health’s commitment to ensuring the continued strength and viability of these facilities.

Delamater has hands-on experience leading a critical access hospital and understanding the needs of rural communities, having led IU Health Tipton Hospital since 2021, where she also continues to serve as Chief Nursing Officer. Delamater is also the executive lead for rural health strategy across the IU Health statewide system and an active member of the Indiana Rural Health Association.