Name: Florence Chang
Previous title: President, MultiCare Health System
New title: President and CEO, MultiCare Health System
Chang will take on the chief executive role Jan. 1 after current CEO William Robertson retires at the end of the year, the Washington-based health system said Thursday.
Chang started at MultiCare two decades ago as senior vice president and chief information officer. Chang became chief operating officer in 2012, and was named president of the nonprofit health system in 2022.
“She is a highly effective servant leader with a great passion for MultiCare’s mission, as well as a deep knowledge of the organization’s capabilities and areas of opportunity,” John Wiborg, MultiCare’s board chair, said in a statement.
Chang will replace Robertson, who joined MultiCare in 2014 and has helped expand the health system to become one of the largest nonprofits in the Pacific Northwest, according to a press release. MultiCare operates 13 hospitals and more than 300 clinics across Washington, Idaho and Oregon.
During Robertson’s tenure, MultiCare combined with fellow Washington provider Overlake Medical Center & Clinics and last fall inked an agreement to merge with Oregon-based Samaritan Health Services, which operates five community hospitals. The affiliation is expected to close this year.
MultiCare has a more than 20% market share in Washington, and the health system’s reach has continued to expand due to its affiliation agreements, according to credit rating agency Fitch Ratings.
The health system’s finances have improved too, as increased volumes, improved rate negotiations with insurers, a better mix of payers and improved collections at the point of care offset rising expenses.
In the first quarter, MultiCare brought in $6.8 million in operating income, after posting a $75.2 million operating loss during the same period last year.
Still, the system plans to implement new initiatives to further increase revenue and combat rising costs, including reducing the use of pricey contract labor and improving retention and recruitment of employed workers
