Henry Ford Health Promotes COO to CEO

Robert G. Riney originally joined the health system in 1978 and has served as system COO since 2003.

The board of directors of Detroit, Michigan-based Henry Ford Health announced the new system president and CEO today.

Robert G. Riney, who served as interim president and CEO following Wright Lassiter III's departure, has been named the system's permanent president and CEO.

Riney originally joined Henry Ford Health in 1978. He has served in numerous leadership positions, most recently as COO of the health system, a role he's had since 2003. During his 20-year leadership tenure with the organization, he has served as president of healthcare operations, SVP and chief administrative officer, SVP and chief human resources officer, and VP or organizational design and effectiveness.

"Henry Ford is home," Riney said in a statement. "Home to incredible innovation, cutting-edge science, and an unwavering commitment to our colleagues and to the communities we serve. It's a place where, despite even the most daunting of challenges, making the impossible possible happens every day. I am energized and excited to lead this special organization. I look forward to Team Henry Ford continuing to innovate, excel, and grow in serving our patients, members, communities, and each other."

Riney succeeds Lassiter, who departed his role of leading the $6.6 billion integrated health system this past summer to serve as CEO of CommonSpirit Health, an $8.3 billion nonprofit health system headquartered in Chicago.

While Riney has big shoes to fill, system board chair, David Breen, is confident in his leadership ability. "With Bob at the helm, Henry Ford Health is under the guidance of a leader who has seen our organization through some of its greatest challenges, and for whom a lifetime commitment to team members, patients, and our communities has been his calling and his mission," Breen said in a statement. "His strategic insights and ability to foster meaningful business partnerships and drive advancement of our clinical, research and academic distinctions are noteworthy. Additionally, he is very skilled and focused on fostering a culture of belonging between team members, patients and members, and our communities."