Abboud, Rochford Appointed to New Methodist Hospital Roles

Steve Goeser, president and CEO of Methodist Hospital, has announced the promotion of two dedicated members of the Methodist Hospital leadership team.

Josie Abboud, RN, BSN, MBA, FACHE, who has served as vice president of ancillary and professional services since 2008, has been appointed executive vice president and chief operating officer of Methodist Hospital.  

In her new role, Abboud will provide leadership to the vice presidents of patient care, ancillary and professional services and Methodist Women’s Hospital, while also overseeing Methodist Estabrook Cancer Center.

Abboud joined Methodist Hospital as a critical care staff nurse in 1996. She later worked as a core coordinator for critical care, became the service leader of the hospital’s cardiovascular pulmonary and intermediate care units. She then served as program manager of the Lung/Thoracic Oncology Clinic before becoming the service executive of Methodist Estabrook Cancer Center in 2002.

In her most recent role, as vice president of ancillary and clinical support services, Abboud had responsibility for imaging, laboratory, pharmacy, hospital-based clinics, professional contract management and the oncology service line. 

In 2006, Abboud was recognized as one of Midlands Business Journal’s “40 under 40” and “Woman of Distinction” for her demonstrated leadership.

She is an active community leader and currently serves on the boards of the local American Cancer Society, 6-state High Plains Division board of the American Cancer Society, Visiting Nurses Association, Creighton University’s College of Nursing Advisory Board, NE GOP Business Group, Christ the King’s Educational Steering Committee and the Archbishop’s Committee for Development. 

She has previously served on the boards of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, United Way’s 2013 Campaign, Community Health Charities, Child Savings Institute and Junior League of Omaha.   

Abboud earned her bachelor's degree in nursing at Creighton University and her master's degree in business administration and health care management from Regis University in Denver.

Kevin Rochford, who has been with Methodist Health System since 1988, is the new vice president of ancillary and professional services. In his new role, Rochford will oversee imaging, laboratory, pharmacy, professional and rehab services at Methodist Hospital.

During his time at Methodist Health System, Rochford has served as director of patient services in pre-admitting/screening, director of patient care services in nursing administration, director of rehab services in nursing administration, service executive in nursing administration  and most recently, service executive in patient care administration.

Rochford earned his degree in social work from the University of Nebraska – Omaha and served in social work positions at Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital, Boys Town, Bergan Mercy and Florence Home for the Aged.

Rochford went on to pursue his master’s in social work and public administration at UNO and his bachelor’s in nursing from Nebraska Methodist College.

He is an adjunct faculty member in gerontology at the University of Nebraska and currently serves on the board of trustees for the Intercultural Senior Center.

Other community leadership roles have included the board of trustees for the Nebraska Chapter National Multiple Sclerosis Society, the St. Pius/St. Leo school board, Camp CoHoLo board, Greater Omaha Elder Abuse Coalition and board member for the Omaha Health Community Partnership, the Hope Medical Outreach Coalition and the Heartland Health Care Executive Group.