Huntington Hospital Names New President/CEO

Huntington Hospital announced that its board of directors has appointed Dr. Lori Morgan as president and chief executive officer, effective in September. She will replace Stephen Ralph, who announced three months ago his intention to step down from his roles when the new CEO is in place.
Morgan brings nearly 30 years of healthcare and healthcare administration experience with a focus on developing programs that support patient care, strengthening physician relationships and enhancing financial performance. She most recently served eight years as corporate vice president of Legacy Health, Portland’s largest local health system, and as president of Legacy Emanuel Medical Center, the system’s largest hospital.
“Dr. Morgan stood out as the top candidate for Huntington Hospital due to her excellent operating and financial track record and her outstanding working relationships with physicians,” said Paul L.H. Ouyang, Huntington’s chairman of the board. “Lori is an accomplished trauma surgeon and intensivist, a natural leader and a superb communicator, and the entire Search Committee is honored and delighted that she has accepted our offer. We are pleased to welcome Lori to Huntington Hospital as we begin the next 125 years of service to the San Gabriel Valley community.”
Morgan received her medical degree from the University of Washington School of Medicine, then completed her surgical residency at Stanford University Medical Center, and her trauma/critical care fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center. She is a board-certified trauma surgeon and intensivist.
“It is an honor and a privilege to be asked to lead this prestigious hospital and support its vision to be the leader in creating community well-being through world-class health care,” Morgan said. “I see great opportunity for further growth and development as we execute on our mission to bring together outstanding physicians, caring nurses, professional staff and advanced technologies.”
“Dr. Morgan’s appointment follows a nationwide search that attracted many exceptional candidates,” Ouyang added. “I want to thank the Search Committee members, especially Jaynie Studenmund, chair, and vice chair of the board of directors, who led the comprehensive search with the assistance of Witt/Kieffer, a nationally recognized executive search agency specializing in health care.”
In a joint statement, Oyang and Studenmund added, “Assuming the role of president and CEO at Huntington Hospital fulfills Dr. Morgan’s professional goal of leading a world-class nonprofit institution that serves the community in which it is located and beyond, deepening well-being and improving the lives of residents for generations past and future. Dr. Morgan is looking forward to strengthening community connections, physician relationships and employee engagement to build on the hospital’s legacy of compassionate community care.“
Ralph, who has served as the hospital’s CEO since 1995, announced in April his intention to step down from his roles when the new CEO is in place.
“The board and I want to thank Steve Ralph for his significant contributions to the community and the hospital,” Ouyang said. “Over 33 years of service to the hospital with 22 of those as CEO, Steve has been a pillar of one of our community’s most important institutions and leaves a remarkable legacy of achievement.”