Clara Blitch Named Chief Human Resources Officer at Children’s of Alabama

Birmingham, Ala. (Jan. 26, 2026) — Children’s of Alabama has announced the appointment of Clara Blitch, MBA, MSML, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, CHHR, as its new Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO). 

Blitch brings more than 25 years of experience in human resources leadership across healthcare, hospitality, and biotechnology industries. Most recently, she served as Chief Human Resources Officer at Williamson Health in Franklin, Tennessee, where she led HR efforts for more than 2,400 employees and over 30 sites of care. During her tenure, she modernized HR operations, began implementation of a new human capital management system, launched a leadership academy, and drove significant improvements in employee engagement, recognition and retention.

Prior to Williamson Health, Blitch held HR leadership roles at Consulate Health Care, HCA Healthcare, Brookdale Senior Living, and RTI Biologics. She is recognized for her expertise in talent management, organizational development, and leadership coaching, and is a certified CliftonStrengths coach through the Gallup Organization.

“Clara’s extensive experience and passion for developing leaders make her an outstanding addition to our executive team,” said Tom Shufflebarger, President and CEO of Children’s of Alabama. “Her leadership will be instrumental in fostering a positive workplace culture and supporting our mission to provide exceptional care for children.”

“My vision is to create an environment where every team member feels valued, supported, and empowered to deliver the highest level of care,” Blitch said. “We will focus on leadership development, employee engagement, and innovative HR strategies that strengthen our culture and help us attract and retain top talent. I am looking forward to serving this incredible team while learning and growing alongside them.”

Blitch holds a Master of Business Administration, a Master of Science in Management and Leadership, and a bachelor’s degree in marketing. She also maintains professional certifications, including SPHR, SHRM-SCP, and CHHR. Active in the HR community, she had previously served as president of the Wiregrass chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management and continues to mentor leaders nationwide. She and her husband, Stephen, have two children. Blitch succeeds Doug Dean, who will retire after more than 25 years of service.

Doug Dean to Retire After More Than Two Decades of Service
Dean joined Children’s in 1999 and has overseen all aspects of human resources operations. Throughout his career, Dean has been recognized for his leadership and contributions to the HR  profession, including being named Human Resource Executive of the Year by the Birmingham Business Journal in 2011.  

During his tenure, Dean led transformative growth while shaping a culture of excellence and innovation. Under his leadership, the organization expanded to nearly 6,000 employees, strengthened its nursing workforce, and implemented forward-thinking strategies in recruitment, retention, and leadership development. Under his leadership, Children’s has received the NRC Excellence in Patient Experience Award; Forbes Best-in-State Employer; Newsweek and Plant-A Insights Group Greatest Workplaces and Greatest Workplaces for Women; and Newsweek World’s Best Specialized Hospitals.