Valhalla, N.Y.-based Westchester Medical Center Health Network is eliminating two regional CEO positions amid changes to its operating model, a spokesperson for the health system confirmed to Becker's.
Josh Ratner, who served as CEO of the HealthAlliance of the Hudson Valley and chief strategy officer for WMCHealth, will drop his CEO title to focus on role as chief strategy officer for the health system.
Mary Leahy, MD, president and CEO of Bon Secours Charity Health System, part of WMCHealth, will retire early next year after serving in the role since 2015. Andrew Pickens, MD, will serve as interim executive director of Bon Secours Charity Health System.
The moves are part of a larger restructuring that saw WMCHealth lay off about 130 employees primarily in corporate and administrative roles, according to the nine-hospital system.
"To create a more efficient operating structure, WMCHealth is making changes to its regional operating model to better leverage our network's strengths and ensure the long-term health of our hospitals," the health system said in a statement to Becker's.
WMCHealth's new operating structure will appoint full-time leadership positions to oversee operations at each hospital and report directly to the health systems senior leadership, under the direction of CEO Michael Israel.
Mr. Israel also will retire as president and CEO of Westchester Medical Center and WMCHealth at the end of 2025. He has helmed WMCHealth for almost two decades, and the board has launched a nationwide search for his replacement.
WMCHealth said it is "realigning its operations by centralizing services" to better leverage the strengths of its entire network and "ensure the long-term health of our hospitals."