After 35 years serving Providence in a variety of roles, Providence Oregon Chief Executive Dave Underriner is taking a new position. Underriner will be regional president for Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and Hospitals of Hawaii.
“I always thought I’d remain with Providence for the rest of my work life – I’ve been here all but one year of my professional career,” said Underriner. “I’m proud of the work we’ve done at Providence in our communities to provide services that improve health of all people.”
Underriner started at Providence as an administrative intern. He served in a range of leadership roles in clinical services, hospitals and service area operations before becoming chief executive for Providence in Oregon in 2013. Under his leadership, Providence’s Oregon ministry expanded significantly, with new clinics, specialty services, ambulatory care and elder health services. Providence is Oregon’s largest health care system and largest private employer, with more than 21,000 caregivers based here.
Research has always been a priority for Underriner, and Providence offers the largest number of clinical trials in Oregon. Bench research at Providence is translated rapidly to the bedside, transforming care across service lines in Oregon, including Providence Heart Institute, Providence Brain Institute and Providence Cancer Institute.
Underriner strongly values community outreach, and Providence has worked closely with partners across Oregon in such areas as on housing, behavioral health, nutrition, education and youth development. He currently sits on eight boards, including Volunteers of America, Oregon Health Leadership Council, and Oregon Business Council where he is also chair of the Poverty Task Force. He also points to donors who have been so generous in their support of services and research to improve lives of people in the communities served by Providence.
“Together, we have built a top-notch team of nurses, caregivers and physicians,” said Underriner. I will always hold the people of Providence close in my heart.”
Theron Park, chief executive, Oregon delivery system, will lead the Oregon region on an interim basis while a national search is conducted for Underriner’s successor. Underriner will stay with Providence through mid-May.
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