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Wellstar Health System names Ketul J. Patel president and CEO
He will succeed Candice L. Saunders, who announced her retirement earlier this year.
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Bhavana P - Thu, 10, Jul 2025
- 15:22 EDT
- 19
Ketul J. Patel / Wellstar Health System
Georgia-based non-profit healthcare networks, Wellstar Health System, has named healthcare administrator Ketul J. Patel as its next president and CEO.
Patel, currently CEO of Virginia Mason Franciscan Health (VMFH) and president of the Pacific Northwest Region for CommonSpirit Health, will officially assume his new role at Wellstar in late October.
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"We were fortunate to consider nearly 200 outstanding candidates from across the health care industry, including several strong internal leaders who reflect Wellstar's deep talent. Ketul stood out for his experience leading transformational growth while remaining focused on the needs of team members, patients, and the community,” said former Wellstar board of trustees chair Frank Ros.
In his current role, Patel oversees 12 hospitals, over 300 care locations, and a workforce of 20,000, including more than 5,600 providers. He led the 2021 merger that created VMFH, now one of Washington state’s premier healthcare systems. Under his leadership, VMFH earned all "A" grades from Leapfrog for patient safety—making it the only health system in the state to do so.
Patel also spearheaded the VMFH Care Network in 2024, extending expertise to hospitals across five Northwestern states. He oversees key institutions like the Benaroya Research Institute and the Bailey-Boushay House, a pioneering facility for HIV/AIDS care.
Expressing gratitude for the opportunity, Patel said, "It's an honor to join the Wellstar team and help carry forward its mission of providing compassionate, world-class care to every person, every time. I'm excited about the potential created by Wellstar's forward-thinking investments in technology and innovation, strategic partnerships with academic organizations such as Augusta University's Medical College of Georgia, and its strong reputation as a great place to work.
Patel holds dual master’s degrees in health and business administration from the University of Pittsburgh and a bachelor’s degree from Johns Hopkins University. His leadership is widely recognized, with multiple honors from Modern Healthcare and several key board roles statewide and nationally.
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