James Hereford

Fairview President and CEO James Hereford joined Fairview in 2016 bringing extensive experience in strategically guiding organizations, strengthening core operations and bringing teams together to drive cultural change.

Prior to joining Fairview, James served as chief operations officer at Stanford Health Care. Previous roles included chief operations officer at the Palo Alto Medical Foundation and a series of leadership roles with the Group Health Care Delivery System.

James holds bachelor's and master's degrees in mathematics from Montana State University. He has taught courses with Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business, University of Washington’s Master of Health Administration program and The Ohio State University’s Masters of Business Operations Excellence program. He is a frequent writer and presenter on the topic of lean management systems and transformation.

Sameer Badlani, MD, FACP

Sameer leads Enterprise Strategy, Digital and Experience functions for Fairview Health Services. He is responsible for shaping corporate strategies that drive our organization’s long-term growth. By aligning consumer experience and digital-enabled transformation with strategic objectives, he focuses on market differentiation for Fairview.

Prior senior management roles were at Sutter Health, Intermountain Health and at the University of Chicago Medicine. As a nationally-renowned educator and board member, he advises on strategy, innovation, and transformation.  

Sameer received his medical degree from Delhi University, clinical training from University of Oklahoma and bio-medical informatics training from University of Utah. In 2022 he graduated from Harvard Business School in the flagship Advanced Management Program.

Bob Beacher, RPH

With more than 30 years of health care experience, Bob helps ensure that key shared clinical services across Fairview deliver exceptional quality and experience at a lower total cost of care. Bob serves as president of Fairview Pharmacy Solutions, a new pharmacy business support service designed to help Fairview and other health systems strengthen and grow their integrated pharmacy programs. Bob also guides pharmacy strategy for Fairview, which encompasses 26 retail pharmacies, home infusion, medication therapy management, and specialty pharmacy services. His leadership extends to pharmacy benefit management offerings for employers as well as pharmacy consulting and business services for other healthcare organizations. Bob is a registered pharmacist and earned his degree from the University of Minnesota. Bob is a member of several state and national pharmacy associations and serves on Fairview’s Ethics Committee.

Joe Gaylord

Joe served for three years as our system vice president for finance before stepping into his role as Chief Financial Officer for Fairview Health Services. He brings over three decades of professional finance experience, having launched his career at PricewaterhouseCoopers after graduating from Marquette University. Joe has served as Chief Financial Officer at multiple organizations including Capella University and Regency Corporation. Since joining Fairview Health Services, Joe has built an operationally-focused finance support function aligned with hospital, service line, and functional leaders. He has also held significant leadership roles in systemwide transformation projects. He has served on multiple boards in the Twin Cities with a focus on education.

Kathy LeBrew

As Chief Transformation Officer, Kathy LeBrew leads our strategic transformation, identifying and capturing opportunities to improve outcomes and operations. Joining Fairview in 2021, Kathy has built and led teams in health systems and physician organizations across the country for over 35 years, with a proven track record of improving net revenue, experience, and sustainable outcomes. Kathy has served as the chief system revenue cycle officer and vice president of information technology at University Hospitals in Ohio and the corporate vice president of both revenue cycle operations and information technology at West Penn Allegheny Health System in Pennsylvania. Kathy holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from Robert Morris University and executive leadership certificates from both Advisory Board and the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.

Joe Campbell

Joe Campbell has spent a career in public affairs and communications at the local, state, and national level. Previously, Joe served as a partner overseeing corporate and public affairs clients at ICF Next’s Minneapolis office; as deputy director of external affairs for MNsure, Minnesota’s health insurance exchange; as director of communications for Saint Paul Mayor Chris Coleman; and as outreach director for United States Senator Amy Klobuchar. Joe is a native of Saint Paul, Minnesota and currently resides in South Minneapolis with his wife and three children. He is active in a number of civic causes including as Vice President on the Minneapolis Planning Commission.

Trudi Noel Trysla

Trudi develops Fairview’s overall legal strategy and leads Fairview’s legal and ethical adherence to federal and state law and health care public policy. She oversees Fairview’s legal and risk management functions. Trudi was named general counsel in February 2014. Trudi has more than 20 years of legal experience in health care. She joined Fairview in 2008 as associate general counsel. Prior to joining Fairview, Trudi served as senior legal counsel at Medtronic, Inc.; as legal counsel for Mayo Foundation in Rochester, Minn.; and as an attorney in private practice. Trudi earned her law degree from the University of Minnesota and her bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska. She is licensed to practice in Minnesota and the Eighth Circuit. She is a member of the American Health Lawyers Association, the American Bar Association and the Minnesota Bar Association’s Health Law Governing Council. Trudi also is active on various Fairview boards and community boards, including the Fairview Pharmacy Board, the Minnesota Center for Health Care Ethics and the Minnesota Epilepsy Foundation. She is a frequent lecturer on health care topics, including accountable care organizations and models.

Tanja Oquendo, JD

With deep experience in human resources, Tanja Oquendo, J.D., excels at building high-performance cultures while maintaining a values- and mission-driven focus. As Chief People Officer, she champions strategies that drive organizational improvements to support HR and beyond, helping exceed goals related to quality, safety, customer service, and engagement. Tanja previously served at Common Spirit Health — one of the nation’s largest non-profit healthcare systems — in several roles, including Chief Administrative Officer, Chief Human Resources Officer, and System Senior Vice President, Transformation and Integration. Beyond her professional achievements, Tanja is active in the community and serves as a board member for both corporate and community organizations. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Michigan and earned her J.D. at Wayne State University Law School.

Jaya Kumar, MD, MBA

A board-certified internist and nephrologist, Jaya Kumar has a remarkable and extensive track record in healthcare leadership, quality improvement, physician engagement, health equity advancement, and the development of effective multidisciplinary teams. She previously served as CMO at Swedish Medical Center in Colorado, a renowned institution known for excellence in patient care and clinical outcomes. Kumar received her medical degree from King George’s Medical University and trained at The State University of New York (SUNY); the University of California, San Francisco; and the University of Arkansas. She has a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the University of Tennessee and volunteers her time and expertise to organizations including the Emily Griffith Foundation, Doctors Care, and Project C.U.R.E.

Darlene Spiegelberg

Dar Spiegelberg, MAN, BSN, RN, serves as Chief Nursing Executive at M Health Fairview, leading nursing strategy, innovation, and clinical excellence across the system. A transformational healthcare leader with over 15 years of progressive experience at Fairview, Dar is known for advancing patient care, operational efficiency, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Previously, she was Vice President of Hospital Specialty Services, overseeing Hospital Medicine, Emergency Medicine, Critical Care, and Trauma Services. She also served as Nursing Director at Fairview Southdale, leading care model redesign, professional development, and strategic planning initiatives. Dar began her career in bedside nursing and case management, bringing a deep clinical foundation to her leadership. Passionate about advocating for patients and care teams, she drives system-wide improvements that elevate the nursing profession. An active community member, Dar has held leadership roles with the Eastview Community Foundation and the previously with the Bloomington Chamber of Commerce.

Jeoff Will

As Chief Operating Officer, Jeoff Will empowers teams to drive operational performance and growth, leading to better, more accessible, high-quality care. Jeoff brings nearly 30 years of broad healthcare experience to this role, from leadership positions in operations, physician recruitment and retention, practice management, and business development to roles in frontline care, starting his healthcare career as a registered x-ray technician. Since joining Fairview in 2003, Jeoff has led operations teams for the system’s acute care hospitals and service lines, managed nursing units, and served as the chief operating officer of Fairview Physician Associates Network. Jeoff earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Augsburg University.

Patrick Adams

As Chief of Staff, Patrick works closely with the CEO and executive leadership team to support Fairview’s operational and strategic transformation. Patrick also serves as Vice President for the M Health Fairview System Operations Center. Prior to his current role, Patrick was Director of Project Management and Integrations at Fairview; he was previously at Stanford Health Care in Palo Alto, California, where he served as an Administrative Fellow for the Stanford Health system. Patrick earned his bachelor’s degree from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and a Master of Health Services Administration from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Brad Benson, MD

Brad currently serves as Chief Academic Officer for the M Health Fairview Academic Health System reporting to the Dean of the Medical School. He is a graduate of the Vanderbilt University Medical School and is board certified in both Internal Medicine and Pediatrics. He completed training in Med-Peds here at the University of Minnesota and subsequently served as Residency Program Director of his former program for the 10 years spanning 2002-2012. During that time he led the national Med-Peds Program Directors' Association as its President from 2008-2009.

Brett K. Anderson

A registered nurse, Anderson began his career in 2011 and has continuously expanded his leadership capabilities, leveraging his clinical background. He served as senior vice president and chief operations and strategy officer in senior living organizations before leading Ebenezer and Fairview Senior Services.

Recently honored by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal as one of 40 Leaders Under 40, Anderson's achievements, community involvement, and industry leadership are well recognized. He has also received the Distinguished Alumni – Young Alumni Award from Minnesota State University, Mankato.

Brett holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Minnesota State University, Mankato, a master's degree in Nursing Leadership and Management, and is currently pursuing his Doctor of Philosophy in Management and Public Service. 

Taj Mustapha, MD

In her role as Chief Equity Strategy Officer, Taj Mustapha, MD, is responsible for the vision, leadership, and strategic planning of equity efforts systemwide. Her work is an essential component of our health system’s mission to heal, discover, and educate for longer, healthier lives. A practicing internist-pediatrician, Taj will bring an experienced perspective to our organization’s work to develop inclusive environments, reduce healthcare disparities, and improve patient outcomes for all the communities we serve. She has advanced equity endeavors as a professor in the University of Minnesota Medical School, where she is assistant dean of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Taj also serves as a member of the M Health Fairview Healing, Opportunity, People, Equity (HOPE) Commission, which is committed to developing an antiracist and inclusive joint clinical enterprise.

Greg Beilman, MD

Greg Beilman serves as CEO for University of Minnesota Physicians. He leads the Service Lines in the M Health Fairview partnership and is part of Fairview's Executive Leadership Team. In addition to his training and practice as a critical care surgeon, Greg is a retired Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves. He joined the Reserves while in his surgical residency, moving on to care for injured service members and civilians during deployments to Eastern Europe and the Middle East. He has also led advancements in the University of Minnesota Medical School’s research and national impact as Associate Dean for Department of Defense Research and Partnerships and as the founding director of the University of Minnesota Translational Center for Resuscitative Trauma Care (TCRTC). At the TCRTC he’s led the center’s development and evaluation of innovative acute trauma care practices in low resource, rural and emergency care settings.