Akron Children’s names Vanesha Coggins VP of Compliance, Internal Audit

10-07-2025 (Akron, Ohio)

Akron Children’s has appointed Vanesha Coggins as vice president of Compliance and Internal Audit, where she will lead the health system’s enterprise-wide compliance and internal audit functions.

In this role, Coggins will provide strategic direction and oversight for all regulatory and ethical compliance matters across Akron Children’s, ensuring adherence to federal and state healthcare regulations and internal policies. She will oversee systemwide compliance risk assessments, conduct and manage audits, lead investigations into potential violations, and collaborate closely with executive leadership, the Board of Directors and clinical teams to promote a culture of accountability and ethical integrity throughout the organization.

Coggins joins Akron Children’s from Connecticut Children’s Hospital in Hartford, Conn., where she most recently served as director of Corporate Compliance and Internal Audit. Over her tenure, she advanced through several managerial and senior leadership roles, designing the hospital’s first formal enterprise risk management and internal audit programs, leading complex investigations, and implementing comprehensive internal audit and revenue cycle compliance frameworks.

Prior to her work in healthcare, Coggins held positions in internal audit and risk management across several major organizations, including the New York Power Authority, Praxair, Inc., Subway® Franchisee World Headquarters, and Pitney Bowes. Her experience spans manufacturing, utilities, financial services, and government, bringing a broad perspective to healthcare compliance oversight.

With more than 20 years of experience in corporate compliance, internal audit, fraud investigation, risk assessment, and process improvement, Coggins is recognized for her ability to design and implement value-driven compliance programs that strengthen operational integrity and mitigate enterprise risk.

Coggins earned a Bachelor of Science in International Economics from Bentley University in Waltham, Mass. She holds several professional certifications, including Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), Certified in Healthcare Compliance (CHC), Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, Fraud Examiner (CFE), and Certified in Healthcare Compliance (CHC)

She recently relocated to West Akron with her husband, Arden, and their daughter, Londyn.