New Providence CEO Reshaping Executive Leadership Team
Under new President and CEO Erik Wexler, Providence, a nonprofit health system serving the Western U.S., has announced a series of leadership changes, including a new physician leader for the Providence Clinical Network and changing Sara Vaezy’s title from chief digital officer to chief transformation officer. The health system also is searching for a new CIO to replace BJ Moore, who left 51-hospital Providence last year.
Calling it a streamlined executive leadership structure, Wexler issued a statement saying, “We are organizing our system executive leadership team to ensure we are well-positioned to support our local ministries and advance our strategic priorities.”
Wexler succeeded Rod Hochman, M.D., on Jan. 1, 2025. Hochman announced his retirement after 45 years in health care, including 17 with the Providence family of organizations.
Since joining the organization in 2016, Wexler has held several executive leadership positions, including Providence’s chief operating officer; president of operations and strategy for Providence’s South Division; and regional chief executive for Providence Southern California. Earlier in his career, he served as chief executive for Tenet Healthcare’s Northeast Region.
Darryl Elmouchi, M.D., recently joined Providence as chief operating officer. He will oversee operations for the organization’s three divisions, home and community care, compliance and key clinical care functions. He previously served as COO of Corewell Health, headquartered in Michigan.
Susan Huang, M.D., was named chief physician executive, Providence and chief executive, Providence Clinical Network: She will oversee the network of physician clinics, diagnostics, urgent care centers, clinical institutes and graduate medical education programs. She will also be responsible for research, genomics, analytics, value-based care, PACE and the Institute for Human Caring.
The Providence Clinical Network encompasses all of Providence’s ambulatory operations with over 10,000 physicians and APPs, 30,000 caregivers and 1,100 clinics. Huang has served as chief medical officer for Providence’s South Division, and chief executive officer of California’s payer-provider Providence Health Network.
Prior to Providence, Huang led value-based care as chief value medical officer at the Palo Alto Foundation Medical Group of Palo Alto Medical Foundation in Sutter Health, defining vision, strategy and tactics for establishing the organization as a leader in high-value care and the provider of choice. Huang helped develop one of the first successful AI models in healthcare at Google, Providence said.
Sara Vaezy’s title has changed from chief digital officer to chief transformation officer. She will lead the Office of Transformation, focusing on the responsible adoption of AI, developing innovations, and forging partnerships to scale sustainable technology solutions. Additionally, she’ll oversee digital care and marketing.
PK Khurana was named chief strategy and growth officer, assuming responsibility for overall growth and strategic planning, including the Providence Global Center in Hyderabad, India. Since joining Providence in 2012, he has led the formation of direct-to-employer contracts with companies like Whole Foods, established an exclusive arrangement with Oscar Health Plan across Southern California for small employer coverage, and served as the lead on numerous joint ventures, such as Providence Cedars-Sinai Tarzana Medical Center.