Erik Wexler has begun his tenure as the new president and CEO of Renton, Wash.-based Providence by articulating his vision of the path ahead for the 51-hospital health system.
Mr. Wexler is succeeding Rod Hochman, MD, who retired at the end of 2024 after 45 years in healthcare, including 17 with the Providence family of organizations. Previously, Mr. Wexler served as COO of Providence.
In a message posted on LinkedIn Jan. 6 to all caregivers, physicians and stakeholders, Mr. Wexler noted that Providence, like other health systems, must navigate a number of challenges. Among them are a shortage of healthcare workers, rising drug and medical supply costs, health inequities, and inadequate reimbursement from payers.
"The headwinds are significant, but they are not insurmountable," he told employees. "While we have made great progress to secure our long-term sustainability, we are not yet where we need to be. But together, we will ensure the upward trajectory continues in 2025 and beyond."
A few of the initiatives to sustain this momentum include: