Vancouver, Wash.-based PeaceHealth is preparing for change at the top of the organization.
President and CEO Liz Dunne will retire after a decade of service to the organization, with a veteran PeaceHealth executive named to succeed her, according to a July 8 system news release.
Ms. Dunne will remain at the helm through the end of the year to support the transition, the health system said. PeaceHealth Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer Sarah Ness will succeed her, effective Jan. 3.
“Leading PeaceHealth has been the most meaningful chapter of my career,” Ms. Dunne said in the release. “Inspired by the courageous compassion of the founding Sisters, together we’ve reimagined what healthcare can be — rooted in dignity, community and the deeper roots of health. I’m humbled by what we’ve built and deeply grateful to the caregivers who bring that vision to life every day.”
“I’m incredibly proud of Sarah and confident in her leadership,” Ms. Dunne added. “My heart is full and my mind at peace knowing she will steward PeaceHealth’s cherished legacy into the future.”
Ms. Dunne’s retirement marks a significant change at PeaceHealth, a nonprofit Catholic system with approximately 16,000 caregivers, nearly 3,200 physicians and clinicians, more than 160 clinics and nine medical centers.
Ms. Dunne has served as president and CEO since 2015.
PeaceHealth highlighted several achievements during Ms. Dunne’s tenure, including improvements in clinical and operational excellence, expanding care access through partnerships with organizations such as Oakland, Calif.-based Kaiser Permanente and Portland-based Oregon Health & Science University, and unprecedented philanthropic giving.
Ms. Ness will be the second female lay leader in PeaceHealth’s history, according to the release. She has served in her current role since 2023. She also previously served as executive vice president of people and culture.
During her tenure, Ms. Ness has been instrumental in promoting caregiver well-being and led the modernization and automation of workforce management systems, among other achievements, according to the system.
“I am honored to be selected as the next president and CEO of PeaceHealth,” Ms. Ness posted on LinkedIn on July 8. “I’ve devoted over two decades of my career to this ministry because I believe in its mission, its people and our shared purpose. I’m grateful for Liz Dunne’s visionary leadership, and I look forward to building on her legacy as we continue to care for our communities.”
