Jason Zachariah Appointed Chief Executive Officer at Forefront Dermatology

MANITOWOC, WI – October 27, 2026 – Forefront Dermatology, the nation’s largest network of board-certified dermatologists, today announced the appointment of Jason Zachariah as CEO.  

Jason joins Forefront Dermatology from hospital network Lifepoint Health, where he served as President and COO since 2022. Under Jason’s leadership, Lifepoint demonstrated industry-leading same-store growth in admissions and surgical volumes, while significantly expanding access to care by adding 40 hospitals through new-facility development and acquisitions. During his tenure, he drove cultural transformation to enhance physician and team member experiences and retention. He also co-led the standardization of Lifepoint's enterprise resource planning platform and the move to a shared services infrastructure, strengthening operational efficiency and supporting the delivery of high-quality care. 

“Forefront is at an important point in its evolution, and Jason is the right leader to build on our strengths and lead the organization into its next chapter,” said Jody Bilney, Chairwoman of the Forefront Dermatology Board. “He brings broad healthcare leadership experience, a strong operational mindset and, importantly, a clear understanding that Forefront’s success begins with supporting our clinical teams and creating an exceptional experience for our patients.” 

Dr. Betsy Wernli, President of Forefront Dermatology, Chairwoman of the Physician Board, and board-certified dermatologist, added: “Physician leadership is at the heart of Forefront and has guided our commitment to exceptional patient care for nearly 50 years. Jason shares that commitment and is excited to partner with our physicians and physician leaders to remove barriers to delivering best-in-class medical, surgical and cosmetic dermatology care. Together, we will ensure physicians continue to lead the decisions that shape patient care and the future of our organization. I couldn’t be more excited to partner with him for our future!” 

Treating more than three million active patients, Forefront has earned an outstanding Net Promoter Score of 92, reflecting the trust and satisfaction of its patients nationwide. Additionally, Forefront was recognized in 2025 and 2026 by the American Medical Association's Joy in Medicine Program® for its commitment to physician well-being.  

"The more I learned about Forefront's exceptional history, patient satisfaction, and outcomes, as well as the Board’s vision for the future, the more interested I became in helping lead the next stage of smart, strategic company growth,” Jason said. “I look forward to working alongside our talented clinicians and team members as they continue to provide best-in-class care for our patients."  

Prior to Lifepoint, Jason served as President and COO of Kindred Healthcare, the nation’s largest specialty hospital provider. There, he advanced from a single-hospital administrator to an enterprise-wide operating executive, with a focus on trusted engagement, clinical excellence, disciplined growth and innovation. 

About Forefront Dermatology  
Forefront Dermatology is the nation’s largest network of board-certified dermatologists. With more than 300 clinic locations across 32 states, Forefront Dermatology makes it easier for patients to access the care they need within their own communities. Its state-of-the-art, in-house pathology laboratories provide seamless, all-inclusive care from biopsy to diagnosis and deliver correlated, life-saving results across more than 650,000 specimens annually. Forefront offers comprehensive medical, surgical and cosmetic dermatology services with a commitment to delivering high-quality, patient-centered care.