Van Pelt announces plans to retire from Providence Health

Greg Van Pelt has announced his retirement as chief executive of Providence Health and Services' eight-hospital Oregon division after three years in that position and 38 years with the Renton, Wash.-based system, according to a news release.

Van Pelt, 61, will continue to work until June or until Providence officials name a replacement. He started as an administrative intern at Providence St. Vincent in Portland, Ore., and later rose to chief executive of the hospital.

“Greg has been successful because he has kept our mission and values at the core of everything he does, during good economic times and challenging times,” said Providence Health & Services President Dr. John Koster. “I am grateful to Greg for his friendship and years of dedicated service to our mission.”

Providence in 2010 named Van Pelt as leader of its Oregon division to replace the retired Russ Danielson. System officials credit him with significantly growing Providence Health Plan, overseeing the opening of two new hospitals and serving as the founding chair of the Ministry Leadership Center in Sacramento, Calif., a group that includes officials from different Catholic healthcare systems working to preserve Roman Catholic healthcare values across the U.S.

Modern Healthcare in 1990 selected a 38-year-old Van Pelt as an Up & Comer, a magazine award that recognizes rising young healthcare executives.