Airica Steed, EdD, is taking a temporary leave of absence as president and CEO of The MetroHealth System in Cleveland, the system confirmed to Becker's.
Dr. Steed is taking a "medical leave for a short time," a system spokesperson told Becker's. Her return date was not specified. During her absence, Derrick Hollings, executive vice president, CFO, and treasurer of MetroHealth, will oversee day-to-day operations of the urban safety-net health system.
The health system announced Dr. Steed's temporary leave in an email to employees July 23, cleveland.com reports.
Dr. Steed was appointed president and CEO of MetroHealth in 2022, succeeding Akram Boutros, MD, who was dismissed in November 2022 after MetroHealth board members alleged he authorized more than $1.9 million in supplemental bonuses for himself without disclosing them to the board.
Within her first year, Dr. Steed has worked to tighten oversight on compensation and added more checks and balances to policies, including changing bonus goals from individual-based to team-based.
Dr. Steed previously served as executive vice president and system COO of Sinai Chicago Health System and president of Mount Sinai and Sinai Children's Hospital.