CLEVELAND — The MetroHealth Board of Trustees has announced that Dr. Christine Alexander-Rager will serve as the system's acting president and CEO while Dr. Airica Steed is on medical leave.
Her appointment is effective immediately. The news comes just days after 3News learned of Steed's "temporary" leave of absence from MetroHealth.
“We have every confidence Dr. Alexander-Rager will ensure operations continue to run smoothly and our more than 9,000 caregivers have the support they need to fulfill our mission,” said Dr. E. Harry Walker, Chair of the MetroHealth Board of Trustees. “She is a veteran of MetroHealth who cares deeply about this institution, our patients and our community.”
Dr. Alexander-Rager has worked at MetroHealth for nearly three decades, with her most recent role being the interim executive vice president, chief physician executive & clinical officer. Prior to that role, she served as chair of family medicine for 14 years.
"All of us on the Board and at MetroHealth wish Dr. Steed and her family well,” said Dr. Walker. “We look forward to her return.”
Following the news on Tuesday, WKYC confirmed Steed "is confident that she will return to work in short order." 3News' media partner Signal Cleveland was the first to report the story and obtained an email sent to employees by CFO Derrick Hollings, which read:
"I wanted to let you know that Dr. Airica Steed, Metrohealth's CEO & President, is taking a short leave. In her absence, she has designated me to handle her day-to-day responsibilities.
"Please know that I share Dr. Steed's admiration for the mission critical work you do every day to serve our patients, this organization and the Greater Cleveland community. This temporary situation will not affect our mission or that important work in any way.
"I ask you to join me and the entire leadership team in wishing Dr. Steed all the best as we await her return."
MetroHealth's Board of Trustees hired Steed as the system's next CEO in September of 2022, with the plan being for her to replace the retiring Dr. Akram Boutros that succeeding January. That timeline was abruptly moved up in November when Boutros was fired for allegedly giving himself nearly $2 million worth of undisclosed and improper bonuses.
3News' Tyler Carey contributed to this story.