Roseville, Calif.-based Adventist Health has named Sam Leonor as its chief mission officer, effective July 1.
In the role, Mr. Leonor will lead Adventist's strategy and discourse on ethics, mission alignment, spiritual care and its relationship to faith. He has served as the 28-hospital system's mission identity and spiritual care executive for the last five years.
"It genuinely warms my heart to have Sam step into this role, as I truly believe he is remarkably suited for the position," Kerry Heinrich, president and CEO of Adventist, said in a news release dated July 1 shared with Becker's. "Sam's ability to inspire and lead with kindness, respect and collaboration reflects his genuine commitment to the well-being of our associates and patients."
Mr. Leonor succeeds Alex Bryan in the role. Mr. Bryan joined Adventist in 2018 and served as chief mission officer beginning in 2020. He departed the organization to become the 24th president of Walla Walla University, a private Christian liberal arts university in College Place, Wash.
Adventist is associated with the Seventh-day Adventist Church, a Christian denomination.