Cleveland-based MetroHealth has extended the contract of President and CEO Christine Alexander-Rager, MD, through Jan. 9, 2029.
The board of trustees unanimously approved the new contract, according to a Dec. 10 health system news release. Dr. Alexander-Rager became acting chief executive in July 2024 and was promoted to president and CEO in October 2024.
Dr. Alexander-Rager has spent 28 years at MetroHealth, including in clinical and leadership roles. Earlier in 2025, she implemented a systemwide plan to address rising costs and an unexpected increase in charity care, which included executive pay cuts, workforce reduction and site closures. While MetroHealth still expects a financial loss for 2025, leadership said the deficit would have been greater without the cost-saving actions outlined in the plan.
Dr. Alexander-Rager succeeded former President and CEO Airica Steed, EdD, RN, who went on medical leave and was later dismissed in August 2024. Dr. Steed has since filed a lawsuit against the system alleging discrimination and unlawful termination, claims MetroHealth has refuted.
