Fritz to serve as president and CEO of Westmoreland-area hospitals

GREENSBURG, Pa. — The West Virginia University Health System today announced the appointment of Brian Fritz, M.B.A., as president and CEO of Westmoreland Hospital, Latrobe Hospital, and Frick Hospital. 

Fritz brings more than 20 years of healthcare leadership experience to the role and deep ties to both the hospitals and the communities they serve. He began his career with the organization in 2007 after completing an administrative residency and fellowship. In 2014, he joined Pinnacle Health System in Harrisburg, where he served as senior director of business operations. 

He returned to the organization in 2020 as system vice president of surgical services and, three years later, was named president of Westmoreland, Latrobe, and Frick hospitals. 

Fritz earned a bachelor’s degree in health policy and administration from Pennsylvania State University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Waynesburg University. A Ligonier native, he serves on the board of directors of the Westmoreland County Economic Growth Connection. 

“Brian knows these hospitals, understands this region, and has a deep commitment to the communities we serve,” Albert L. Wright Jr., president and CEO of the WVU Health System, said. “Throughout his career, he has demonstrated an ability to build strong teams and keep the focus where it belongs — on providing exceptional care to patients.” 

The executive leadership team for Westmoreland, Latrobe, and Frick hospitals includes: 

Mary Elizabeth Kovacik Eicher, M.D., M.P.H., chief medical officer, will serve as chief medical officer of the three hospitals and as an assistant professor in the Department of Neurology at the WVU School of Medicine and the WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute. A Blairsville native, she most recently served as associate chief medical officer and director of neurosciences for Independence Health System and maintains an active neurology practice in Westmoreland County. 

Allison Lutz, C.P.A., M.B.A., C.M.A., chief financial officer, is a Greensburg native with more than 15 years of healthcare finance leadership experience. She most recently served as vice president of finance and business intelligence for Independence Health System. 

David Rottinghaus, M.D., president of the affiliated medical groups, will continue in his current role. An active emergency medicine physician at Butler Memorial Hospital, he most recently served as president of the physician and provider network for Independence Health System. 

Scott Koscho, D.P.T., M.B.A., chief operating officer of Westmoreland Hospital, brings more than 30 years of healthcare and operational leadership experience to the role. He most recently served as vice president of support services for Independence Health System. 

Michael Sekhon, Pharm.D., chief operating officer of Latrobe Hospital, most recently served as vice president of ancillary services for Independence Health System, overseeing pharmacy, laboratory, and radiology services across its five-hospital network. 

The System is also recruiting a chief operating officer for Frick Hospital. 

–WVU MEDICINE– 

About the WVU Health System    

The West Virginia University Health System is a West Virginia-based academic health system that provides the full continuum of healthcare services at 30 hospitals in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Maryland.  

With more than 47,000 employees, including 7,200 providers, and $10 billion in total operating revenues, the WVU Health System is anchored by an 890-bed academic medical center and the 150-bed WVU Medicine Golisano Children’s Hospital in Morgantown, West Virginia. To learn more, visit WVUMedicine.org. 

Media Inquiries: 

Melissa Forster, Marketing and Media Relations Specialist, melissa.forster@independence.health  

Angela S. Jones, WVU Health System Assistant Vice President of Media and Marketing Communications, angela.jones1@wvumedicine.org