Today, Steward Health Care System announced the promotion of longtime Steward veteran Mark Rich to President. He was also named to Steward’s Board of Directors. He will report to Steward Chairman and CEO Ralph de la Torre, who will focus his attention on current strategic issues and transitions as well as future opportunities for the company.

“Mark was a vital member of Steward’s original management team and was instrumental in quadrupling the size of the company to become the nation’s largest privately held health care system. He helped navigate Steward through the challenges of the post-COVID environment with relentless focus and great success,” said de la Torre. “He has exceptional leadership skills and provides important continuity for the company. Mark’s outstanding operational and financial skills coupled with his commitment to our nation leading value-based care model will help propel us forward.”

“I am delighted and humbled by the opportunity to lead this great team to serve our patients and offer exceptional community-based care. Steward fills a vital and gaping need to provide world-class care in communities who have economic challenges and highly diversified ethnic populations and our entire team of 30,000 strong is committed to providing this care seamlessly,” said Rich.

Rich has played a key role in Steward’s growth from its initial acquisition of six Massachusetts hospitals in 2010 to its current status as a 33-hospital system operating in eight states with 30,000 employees, including more than 5,600 providers. He was the architect of the country’s first major risk-based alternative quality contract with Blue Cross, which has since been replicated nationwide. He has served in virtually all major operating roles in his fourteen-year career with the company including his most recent stint when he returned full-time in January 2023 as Chief Administrative Officer, which included the functions of Chief Financial Officer.

About Steward Health Care

Over a decade ago, Steward Health Care System emerged as a different kind of health care company designed to usher in a new era of wellness. One that provides our patients better, more proactive care at a sustainable cost, our providers unrivaled coordination of care, and our communities greater prosperity and stability.

As the country’s largest physician-led, minority-owned, integrated health care system, our doctors can be certain that we share their interests and those of their patients. Together we are on a mission to revolutionize the way health care is delivered - creating healthier lives, thriving communities and a better world.

Steward is among the nation’s largest and most successful accountable care organizations (ACO), with more than 4,450 providers and 30,000 health care professionals who care for 12.3 million patients a year through a closely integrated network of hospitals, multispecialty medical groups, urgent care centers, skilled nursing facilities and behavioral health centers.

Based in Dallas, Steward currently operates 33 hospitals across Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas.

For more information, visit www.steward.org.

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