ProMedica COO Is Promoted to CEO

Following six months of closely working with retiring CEO, Randy Oostra, Arturo Polizzi was appointed the new CEO effective November 1.

After serving 25 years with ProMedica, Randy Oostra has retired from his position as CEO. His last day with the nonprofit integrated health system was on October 31.

Effective November 1, Arturo Polizzi, who most recently served as the health system's COO, took over as CEO following a unanimous confirmation from the board of directors, the health system announced.

The leadership change follows a six-month transition period, where Oostra and Polizzi closely worked together to ensure a smooth leadership change for the organization.

"I've worked closely with Arturo for many years, and I'm confident he will be an exceptional CEO for ProMedica," Oostra said in a statement. "We have been working on a transition plan for some time, and despite the challenges brought about by the pandemic, he is well prepared to continue moving the organization toward long-term financial stability and success."

Polizzi, who started his career at ProMedica as an in-house attorney in 1998, has served in various strategic and operational roles for the organization over the past 20 years, including serving as associate general counsel, COO for ProMedica Toledo Hospital and Toledo Children's Hospital, chief human resources officer, president of ProMedica Toledo Hospital and Toledo Children's Hospital, and president of Metro Region Acute Care where he oversaw operations for ProMedica's metro Toledo hospitals. He briefly left the health system to serve as president and CEO of The Christ Hospital Health Network in Cincinnati, Ohio between 2018 and 2020, but came back in 2020 to serve as COO of ProMedica.

"We are pleased to confirm Arturo Polizzi as ProMedica’s next CEO," ProMedica board chairman, Bob LaClair said in a statement. "His extensive, proven leadership at ProMedica and previous health network CEO experience make him a strong asset, and we are confident that Arturo is the ideal choice to further ProMedica’s mission and lead the organization into the future."

LaClair also thanked Oostra for his 25 years of commitment to ProMedica and its communities. "Randy has played a pivotal role in helping to transform health care, establishing ProMedica as a leader in addressing the social determinants of health starting more than a decade ago. He has also embraced the anchor Institution philosophy in a way that few other leaders have, resulting in wide-reaching community support that has been a catalyst for many positive changes. We have been inspired by his leadership and commitment to health care and the community, and we wish him all the best in his next chapter," he said.

Oostra joined ProMedica in 1997 and served as vice president of ProMedica Toledo Hospital. Over the next 25 years, he would serve in numerous hospital president roles. In 2006, he became COO and president of the health system, and in 2009 he took on the role of president and CEO.

Oostra began discussing his retirement and succession plan with the health system board prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, but put those plans on hold to lead the health system through that time of challenge and uncertainty, the health system said.

"Serving ProMedica for the last 25 years has been the highlight of my career," Oostra said in a statement. "Over the years, we have had the pleasure of working with so many dedicated caregivers, board members, and community leaders who have inspired our work daily. As part of ProMedica, I’ve also been grateful for the opportunity to connect with many incredible individuals as we have worked to address the social factors that significantly impact health outcomes. Together, we have made meaningful progress in the way health care is delivered. It has been a true honor and privilege to lead ProMedica and serve our communities."