Ardent Health Services has appointed Terika Richardson to the position of chief operating officer. In her new role, she will oversee the operations of Ardent's 30 hospitals and more than 200 sites of care across six states.

Richardson most recently served as president of Advocate Aurora Health's Central Chicagoland Patient Service Area where she oversaw the operations and strategic growth of their hospitals, clinics and ambulatory operations. Prior to joining Advocate Aurora in 2016, she was chief executive officer of Retreat Doctors' Hospital in Richmond, Va. She also held various leadership roles for HCA and Northwell Health.

Richardson earned both an undergraduate degree in biopsychology and cognitive science and a master's degree in public health from the University of Michigan. A fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives, she serves on the board of directors for the American Hospital Association's Innovation Committee and Institute for Diversity and Health Equity.