James_May-June_2026_web - Flipbook - Page 39
I
n our modern society— where everything from groceries
to a new sofa are available via the internet, and with
thousands of television and streaming channels— there
are not that many shared experiences across nearly all
of society. One thing that we all still need, though, is
healthcare. We all use it, and ultimately it is one of the
most important parts of our lives.
It’s also not exactly cheap for
the most part, meaning every interaction and transaction receives
some extra scrutiny. For hospitals to succeed and thrive, those
interactions and transactions are
a critical part of their work. It is a
difficult business, not only are you
saving lives and treating ailments,
but your customers expect a level
of service equal to their normal
retail environment.
Finding the right person to
lead a business like this requires
not only an understanding of the
needs of the medical side, but also
an ability to focus on customer
service and efficiency. At Wellstar
Health System, Candice Saunders
announced her retirement last year
after a decade at the helm and the
quest was on to find a replacement.
After a national search, Wellstar
found their next CEO in Seattle.
Ketul J. Patel was the CEO of
Virginia Mason Franciscan Health
(VMFH) and president of the Pacific
Northwest Region of CommonSpirit
Health. The search was exhaustive.
After all, as a non-profit with more
than $2.5 billion in revenue, you
want to find the right person.
“We were fortunate to consider
nearly 200 outstanding candidates
from across the health care industry, including several strong internal leaders who reflect Wellstar’s
deep talent,” said former Wellstar
Board of Trustees Chair Frank Ros,
who led the search committee.
“Ketul stood out for his experience
leading transformational growth
while remaining focused on the
needs of team members, patients,
and the community.”
In his prior role, Patel was
responsible for a similar system
to Wellstar with 12 hospitals, 300
patient care locations and 20,000
team members. This was the result
of Patel’s guidance in the merger of two of the region’s leading
healthcare organizations, forming
one of Washington state’s largest
healthcare providers. During his
time, VFMH was the only health
system in Washington to earn all
“A” Leapfrog Patient Safety Grades,
ranking among the best facilities in
the nation.
A Major Figure in Healthcare
When Patel joined Wellstar,
he noted its exceptional care and
the strong foundation in place for
Wellstar across the state. “It’s an
honor to join the Wellstar team
and help carry forward its mis-
sion of providing compassionate,
world-class care to every person,
every time,” said Patel. “Thanks to
the leadership of Candice and her
strong executive team, Wellstar is
positioned to be one of the Southeast’s leading health care providers
for years to come. I’m excited about
the potential created by Wellstar’s
forward-thinking investments in
technology and innovation, strategic partnerships with academic
organizations such as Augusta
University’s Medical College of
Georgia, and its strong reputation
as a great place to work.”
Patel is a national figure in the
healthcare industry, a three-honoree on Modern Healthcare’s list
of the 100 most influential in the
industry, as well as chairing the
Washington State Hospital Association board and a past member of
the American Hospital Association
Regional Policy Board.
“Always a Part of My DNA”
Patel’s interest in healthcare
came at a very early age.
“Healthcare has always been
part of my DNA. My dad was
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