Kaiser Permanente, Oakland, Calif., named Dr. Ronald Copeland senior VP of national diversity strategy and policy as well as chief diversity officer, effective Jan. 1, 2013.

Copeland, a surgeon, currently is president and executive medical director of Ohio Permanente Medical Group. He joined Kaiser in 1988, after a six-year tour of duty with the U.S. Air Force Medical Corps, according to a Kaiser Permanente news release.

In his new role, Copeland will continue to serve as chairman of the Kaiser Permanente National Diversity Council and will become a member of the group's new Office of Diversity Oversight.

Dr. Nabil Chehade will become president and executive medical director of Ohio Permanente after Copeland's relocation to Oakland at the end of the year.