Tammy Derk named vice president of Penn State Health Children’s

Penn State Health has named Tammy Derk as its new administrative vice president of Penn State Health Children’s services, bringing more than 30 years of leadership experience in pediatric health care to the role. She officially joined the organization on Oct. 6.

Derk partners with physician leader Dr. Sarah Iriana, interim vice president of Penn State Health Children’s, interim pediatrician-in-chief of Golisano Children’s Hospital at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and interim chair of the Department of Pediatrics at Penn State College of Medicine. Together, they work to ensure excellence in Children’s Services’ clinical operations, strategy and innovation across the health system.

“We are pleased to welcome Tammy to the Penn State Health Children’s team,” Iriana said. “Her strategic leadership and unwavering commitment to clinical excellence are invaluable as we continue to expand and strengthen our pediatric services, delivering the highest standard of care to children and families.”

Derk’s broad experience spans pediatric and women’s health care, as well as acute, outpatient and ambulatory, inpatient rehabilitation and post-acute services. Prior to joining Penn State Health, she served as executive director of Women’s and Pediatric Services and Women & Babies Hospital at Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health. She provided leadership in access, strategic growth, program development, operations, quality improvement, regulatory compliance, financial performance and patient experience.

“I’m thrilled to join the dedicated and compassionate team at Penn State Health Children’s and contribute to a mission that puts children and families at the heart of everything we do,” Derk said. “I look forward to supporting our teams in delivering exceptional care to ensure every child thrives and reaches their fullest potential.”

Earlier in her career, Derk served as chief executive officer of Lancaster Rehabilitation Hospital and supported business development opportunities in seven inpatient rehabilitation facilities in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana and Wisconsin.

Derk earned a Master of Science of Healthcare Administration from Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia where she graduated summa cum laude. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and community relations from Shippensburg University in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania.

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