PeaceHealth named a new president and chief executive officer Friday afternoon — the latest in a string of leadership changes this year.
Elizabeth “Liz” Dunne will take the helm of the Vancouver-based nonprofit health system on Nov. 1. PeaceHealth’s former president and chief mission officer, Alan Yordy, retired June 30 after 25 years with PeaceHealth.
Dunne, 59, will be responsible for all operations in the $2 billion system that includes 10 hospitals in three states, an 800-member multi-specialty group practice and a comprehensive laboratory.
“We are blessed to have found Liz Dunne, who is a strong executive leader with a deep connection to our mission and values,” Sister Andrea Nenzel, PeaceHealth board chairwoman, said in a news release. “Her breadth of experience in strategy, partnerships and engagement will accelerate our progress in this time of change.”
PeaceHealth has been working to adapt its leadership team and sprawling health care system to meet mandates under the Affordable Care Act that shift health care emphasis from caring for ill individuals to improving population health. Efforts to meet those mandates led PeaceHealth to eliminate and restructure some leadership positions. Other leaders left on their own.
In April, PeaceHealth announced the departures of four top administrators, including the top two leaders at PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center. In May, PeaceHealth announced the creation and appointment of two new systemwide positions — chief nursing officer and chief medical officer — and announced the elimination of the PeaceHealth Medical Group CEO position.
As PeaceHealth president and CEO, Dunne will report to the PeaceHealth board of directors and will oversee PeaceHealth’s 16,000 employees.
Dunne is a registered dietitian and holds a master’s degree in business and computer resource management from Webster University in St. Louis, Mo.
She is currently community chief executive officer for Providence Health & Services’ South Bay, Calif., region. In that role, Dunne oversees two hospitals and six care sites in Torrance and San Pedro, Calif. She has been with Providence since 2011.
Prior to her work at Providence, Dunne held executive officer positions at two California hospitals and worked in several other health care organizations, according to PeaceHealth. Dunne also served 10 years in the U.S. Air Force and 10 years in the Air Force Reserve, retiring as a lieutenant colonel.
“I am honored to serve as president and CEO of PeaceHealth,” Dunne said in the news release. “This is an organization with a strong strategic direction and I look forward to leading the work to build upon our legacy for improving the health of our communities.”
