Ketul J. Patel has been selected to serve as Wellstar Health System’s next president and chief executive officer. He is expected to assume his new responsibilities in late October 2025.

Patel will succeed Candice L. Saunders, Wellstar’s current president and CEO, who announced her retirement in January.

Mr. Patel currently serves as chief executive officer of Virginia Mason Franciscan Health (VMFH) and president of the Pacific Northwest Region of CommonSpirit Health, where he is responsible for 12 hospitals, more than 300 patient care locations, and 20,000 team members, including more than 5,600 employed and affiliated providers.

Mr. Patel led the organization to be the only health system in Washington state to earn all ‘A’ Leapfrog Patient Safety Grades, ranking among the best facilities in the nation. Under his leadership, VMFH launched the VMFH Care Network in 2024 to establish formal relationships and provide expertise to independent hospitals and health systems across Washington, Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Montana.

Additionally, Mr. Patel has executive oversight over Benaroya Research Institute, which is internationally recognized for autoimmune disease research; and Bailey-Boushay House, the first skilled nursing and outpatient chronic care management program in the U.S. designed specifically to meet the needs of people with HIV/AIDS.

Mr. Patel is recognized both regionally and nationally for his leadership and contributions to the healthcare industry. Most notably, he is a three-time honoree on Modern Healthcare’s list of the 100 Most Influential People in Healthcare and he was twice recognized as one of Modern Healthcare’s Top 25 Diversity Leaders.

Mr. Patel holds master’s degrees in health administration and business administration from the University of Pittsburgh and a bachelor’s degree from Johns Hopkins University.