Craig Albanese, MD, will assume the role of CEO at the end of March, succeeding A. Eugene Washington.
Duke University Health System (DUHS) announced its next CEO, Thursday.
The system's current COO, Craig Albanese, MD, who joined the system in January 2022, will succeed A. Eugene Washington, MD as CEO of DUHS at the end of March. Over his career, Albanese has served in numerous healthcare leadership roles and is an academic pediatric surgeon.
Washington announced his intent to step down as president and CEO of DUHS and chancellor for health affairs at Duke University last fall. He will continue his work of guiding and overseeing Duke Health's academic mission and will work closely with Albanese until June 30.
According to a press release, Albanese has been intensely involved in addressing the health system's financial challenges, ensuring sustained levels of patient care, quality, and safety, and has championed the organization's culture as COO.
"Dr. Albanese has demonstrated vigorous and responsive leadership that has enabled Duke’s clinical enterprise to recover and renew in the wake of the devastating COVID-19 pandemic, working diligently to improve the well-being of our people, and seeking to accelerate [the] expansion of our health system through organic growth and strategic partnerships," Washington and Duke University president, Vincent E. Price, said in a joint statement. "His continued leadership will be vital in guiding the next phase of the health system's work."
In his new role as CEO, the academic pediatric surgeon will oversee the system's goals and strategic priorities. He will also focus on Duke's Clinical enterprise by overseeing all of the network's clinical enterprise leaders.
Prior to joining DUHS, Albanese serves as group SVP and chief medical officer of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, a $9.2 billion academic health system.
"A passionate advocate for our providers and frontline team members, Dr. Albanese is a leader of high integrity and personal commitment who puts people first and who has garnered trust and credibility with Duke's faculty, leadership, and staff alike. Considering his personal qualities and performance to date, we are confident that Dr. Albanese is the right person to lead our health system at this time," Washington and Price said in a joint statement.
Melanie Blackman is a contributing editor for strategy, marketing, and human resources at HealthLeaders, an HCPro brand.