Wellstar Health System has selected a new CEO

Ketul Patel has been named as the next president and CEO of Wellstar Health System, succeeding Candice Saunders, who has served in that role since 2015 and announced in January her intention to retire.

Patel will begin his role as Wellstar’s CEO in late October.

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.

Under Patel’s leadership during the global pandemic, two of the Pacific Northwest’s leading health care organizations — CHI Franciscan and Virginia Mason Health System — merged to form Virginia Mason Franciscan Health in January 2021. 

During his tenure, the health system also 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.

According to the Wellstar release, Patel also has had executive oversight over the Benaroya Research Institute, was recognized for autoimmune disease research and his work with the Bailey-Boushay House, the first skilled nursing and outpatient chronic care management program in the United States designed specifically to meet the needs of people with HIV/AIDS.

John Hatfield, Wellstar’s executive vice president and chief external affairs officer, said Patel was selected after the health system conducted a national search.

“Ketul is eager to get to Georgia and engage with business, community and elected leaders,” Hatfield said. “He values that as an essential part of his role, and he has a history of forging strong relationships”, Hatfield said.

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

Finally, Patel chairs the Washington State Hospital Association board, and he is past chair of the Greater Seattle Partners executive council. He is active in the community, serving on the boards of Washington Roundtable, Challenge Seattle and CEOs Against Cancer. He is a past member of the American Hospital Association Regional Policy Board.

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.