LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Donald R. “Don” Riggs, chief compliance officer for Baptist Health, has announced he will retire at the end of the year after 27 years with the health system.
For the past six years, the 58-year-old has headed the health system’s compliance team, which he helped form in 2013. The compliance team is responsible for ensuring that the system’s hospitals, medical group and affiliated organizations follow federal and state law for healthcare organizations.
“Don has built a well-respected compliance, privacy, and audit program and developed a team of very talented professionals. We are grateful for his many years of dedicated service to Baptist Health,” said Janet M. Norton, vice president and chief legal and regulatory affairs officer for Baptist Health.
Riggs’ successor will be Marea Aspillaga, 38, system director of compliance and privacy. The Shelbyville, Ky; resident has served in that role for more than eight years. Over the last year, she took on additional responsibilities overseeing Baptist Health’s internal audit program. Prior to that, Aspillaga held operations management roles in both the private and employed practice settings, including the Baptist Health Medical Group. She will begin her new role as chief compliance officer on Jan. 1, 2020.
She holds an MBA from Indiana Wesleyan University in healthcare administration and a bachelor’s degree in business administration/finance from the University of Louisville.
Stepping into Aspillaga’s role on Jan. 1 will be Will Renda, currently a regional director of professional practice compliance and privacy. The Shelbyville, Ky; resident has worked with Baptist Health for 17 years, starting as an Emergency Department tech at Baptist Health Louisville. The 38-year-old quickly transitioned into operational leadership roles, laddering up to joining the Baptist Health Compliance team. During the last five years, Renda directed the compliance program for statewide services, Baptist Health Floyd and Baptist Health Corbin.
Earning both his bachelor’s and master’s degree from the University of Louisville, Renda focused his studies on the discipline of Health Geography, which culminated in research and publication related to several important public health topics in Kentucky.
Riggs joined Baptist Health in 1992 as the corporation’s internal auditor and formed its first internal audit department. The Crestwood, Ky; resident served as the director of compliance and internal audit before being named vice president of compliance, privacy and audit in 2011. A recognized leader in the compliance field, Riggs is co-chair of the national Healthcare Compliance Leaders group and heads the Kentucky Hospital Association Compliance Officer Roundtable.
Known for his community service work, Riggs volunteers for more than 20 organizations, and serves on the executive committee of the board for the Kentucky/Southern Indiana Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and the Saint Xavier High School Alumni Association. He is a member of The Remedy, a local band comprised mostly of Baptist Health leaders, alumni and friends who perform at charity events across Kentuckiana.
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