Dive Brief:
Providence CEO Erik Wexler is streamlining his executive team less than a month after stepping into the CEO position.
The executive reshuffle includes rolling out a new Office of Transformation, headed by Sara Vaezy, who previously served as Providence’s chief strategy and digital officer. The office will focus on the most impactful ways to leverage artifical intelligence and other technology initiatives across the system.
However, the Washington-based health system also will cut a few roles in the reorganization. Hoda Asmar, who has served as chief clinical officer since 2021, will depart the company, a spokesperson said. Orest Holubec, who has served as chief communication officer since 2018, will take an open role in Providence’s mission department. He is no longer at the executive level.
Dive Insight:
Providence’s executive shake up comes about two and and a half years after it last slashed its executive team.
In 2022, the health system said operational pressures from the COVID-19 pandemic spurred its restructure. Now, Providence’s finances have improved since pandemic lows but have not fully recovered. During the third quarter of 2024, the system posted a $208 million operating loss, which executives said was attributable to rising costs of drugs and supplies, as well as ongoing constraints on the labor market.
Wexler said the name of the game moving forward is “focus and discipline.”
“This is a lens the executive team and I will be highly dedicated to using to ensure Providence is a high-performing organization that achieves the best outcomes for our communities,” the CEO said in a statement on Thursday.
Many top executives at Providence will have their roles slightly or significantly altered in the restructuring.
Notably, Providence is leaning into artificial intelligence. In a LinkedIn post earlier this month, Wexler signaled the importance of strategically applying the technology and said the new Office of Transformation would be a “disciplined and focused effort” to implement the most promising AI and other health technology solutions.
“It’s time for us to acknowledge that much of the technology we use in health care has not removed the crushing demands on our medical staff and caregivers,” the executive said. “We will immediately leverage solutions that make the biggest difference for physicians and caregivers at Providence.”
Vaezy will take on the role of chief transformation officer, overseeing the responsible adoption of AI and developing next-generation tools.
Prub “PK” Khurana will transition from chief strategy officer for care delivery to serve as chief strategy and growth officer. In this role, he will oversee growth, including Providence’s global center in Hyderabad, India, which specializes in healthcare technology innovation.
Providence said it is actively recruiting for a chief information officer. Ivette de Rubens is currently serving in an interim role.
Other changes include Susan Huang stepping into the role of chief physician executive. She will oversee physician clinics and research.
Ali Santore swapped her title of chief administrative officer for chief communication and external affairs officer. In the new role, Santore will manage advocacy, environmental stewardship, philanthropy and health equity.
Dougal Hewitt will be named chief mission officer — a streamlined version of his former title, chief mission and sponsorship officer. He will oversee Providence’s mission, ethics and community benefits. Holubec will report to Hewitt.
The changes go into effect Feb. 1.
