Dave Underriner, COO of Providence Health and Services, has been promoted to CEO of its Oregon region.

Effective April 15, Underriner, 54, will replace CEO Greg Van Pelt, who announced his retirement in February.

“Providence has always been a part of my life,” Underriner, who was born at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center (Spokane, Wash.), said in a release (PDF). Underriner's father, who led Providence St. Vincent Medical Center in Oregon, actually hired Van Pelt, who, in turn hired the younger Underriner. He began his career with Providence in 1984 as an administrative intern.

“That commitment, combined with his operational acumen, will position Dave well as he continues our successful track record of excellent and compassionate service to our communities,” Dr. Rod Hochman and Mike Butler, Providence group presidents, said in the release.

Providence is a not-for-profit Catholic healthcare ministry that carries on a mission of service introduced by the Sisters of Providence more than 155 years ago. The health system serves patients across five states—Alaska, California, Montana, Oregon and Washington—through hospitals, physician clinics, senior services, supportive housing and other health and educational programs.