Atrius Health Names Geisinger Transformation Exec as New CEO

Newton, MA, [May 28, 2015] - The Atrius Health Board of Trustees is extremely pleased to announce that it has chosen Steven Strongwater, M.D., to be the President and Chief Executive Officer of Atrius Health, a nonprofit healthcare organization providing a system of coordinated care to 675,000 patients across eastern Massachusetts. Dr. Strongwater, currently Chief Transformation Officer and Chief Medical Executive for Acquisition Integration at Geisinger Health, will bring Atrius Health into its next chapter of pioneering work to improve the way healthcare is delivered. Atrius Health includes Dedham Medical Associates, Granite Medical Group, Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates, VNA Care Network & Hospice, and VNA of Boston.

Dr. Strongwater, who returns to Massachusetts, having previously served in a number of positions at University of Massachusetts Medical Center, including as Medical Director and Assistant Chancellor, was chosen after an extensive six-month nationwide search led by Russell Reynolds Associates. 

 “We are truly fortunate to have found a leader with such a solid record of driving positive change, “ said Dr. Guy Spinelli, chair of the Atrius Health Board. “We welcome Dr. Strongwater and look forward to working together to continue on the path to achieving our goals of outstanding quality, exceptional patient experience, lower cost of care, and market-leading physician and staff experience.”

The Atrius Health Board was impressed by Dr. Strongwater’s prior experience as Chief Executive Officer of Stony Brook University Hospital, a 591-bed academic teaching hospital and the only tertiary care hospital and Level 1 Trauma Center in Suffolk County, Long Island.  More recently, as Chief Transformation Officer at Geisinger, Dr. Strongwater has been responsible for identifying and implementing innovations to re-engineer care, redesign work processes and improve overall value across all of Geisinger’s business units, including a 500,000 member health plan, six hospitals, more than 1,200 physicians, 700 advanced practitioners and Geisinger Support Services.  As Chief Medical Executive for Acquisition Integration, he developed programs and served as a liaison for newly acquired hospitals and physician practices.

In accepting the position, Dr. Strongwater said: “I have tremendous admiration for what Atrius Health has accomplished and look forward to working with all the talented and dedicated healthcare professionals at Atrius Health to ensure we remain connected to our patients and the communities we serve, and at the cutting edge of healthcare. Atrius Health has demonstrated it is possible to provide the highest level of care and convenience at the lowest possible cost.”

Dr. Strongwater will continue the long legacy of innovation and exceptional patient care at Atrius Health.  He will focus on working with the Board of Trustees to ensure that Atrius Health remains the leader in accountable care, including patient experience, while making sure that Atrius Health remains the best place to work for physicians and staff.

Dr. Strongwater has also served as an Advisor to the Association of American Medical Colleges; held a number of positions at the University of Connecticut Health Center, including as Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs; and served in a number of positions at UMass Medical Center, including as Medical Director; Director of Clinical Resource Management, Case Management and Utilization Management; and Associate Chief Medical Officer/Associate Administrator for Quality Management.

Dr. Strongwater received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology from the University of Rochester and a Doctor of Medicine from SUNY Upstate Medical Center. He was a resident in Internal Medicine at SUNY Upstate Medical Center and participated in a Rheumatology Fellowship at the University of Michigan.

Dr. Strongwater will start in late July or early August.