Oregon Health & Science University interim president Steve Stadum, J.D., on Monday sent the following message to OHSU members, announcing a new interim CEO of OHSU Health.

Dear OHSU members, 

After assessing ways to best support the health care system during a time of transition, I am pleased to share some leadership changes intended to bolster our ability to advance significant initiatives, including the Legacy acquisition and the Inpatient Addition, and set us up for continued success and excellence. 

Ann Madden Rice, FACHE, has agreed to join our health system leadership team as interim chief executive officer of OHSU Health effective Dec. 16. The national search for a permanent CEO will be paused for the time being, and Joe Ness, M.H.A., B.S.Pharm., who has been skillfully balancing the roles of interim chief executive officer and chief operating officer since June, will return to his role as senior vice president and COO. I am grateful for his service and his ability to manage both these roles through a challenging period, but as we head into planning our integration with Legacy Health and continue efforts to improve quality outcomes, improve access and patient and provider experiences, both roles need to be filled by highly capable leaders, such as Ms. Rice and Mr. Ness. 

Ms. Rice has extensive leadership experience at academic health centers and not-for-profit health care systems. She retired in May 2022 from her role as president of Abbott Northwestern Hospital and senior vice president of Allina Health in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Prior to that, she served as chief executive officer of University of California, Davis Medical Center for 12 years; and, over the course of seven years at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, served as chief financial officer and interim chief executive officer before becoming their chief operating officer. Ms. Rice has successfully led planning for new facilities, secured national recognition for patient safety and quality, and developed and executed strategic plans. Importantly, she understands the unique way education, research and patient care converge at academic health centers and is committed to being of service in support OHSU’s missions. 

Please join me in thanking Mr. Ness for his continued leadership and welcoming Ms. Rice to OHSU. 

Ness was appointed interim CEO of OHSU Health in June, after John Hunter, M.D., stepped down from the role. Hunter continues to serve as a tenured faculty member with patient care responsibilities in the OHSU School of Medicine Department of Surgery.