Geisinger Health System announced David T. Feinberg, MD, will take over the position of CEO, succeeding Glenn Steele Jr., MD.

Geisinger announced the choice Feb. 23. Feinberg will become the sixth chief executive officer in Geisinger's 100-year history.

Feinberg serves as president of the University of California at Los Angeles Health System; chief executive officer, UCLA Hospital System; and associate vice chancellor, UCLA Health Sciences in California.

"I have always been impressed with Geisinger's commitment to doing what is right and best for its patients and members, as well as its many contributions to improving care and reforming our nation’s healthcare system," Feinberg said in a news release announcing his appointment. "It is important to me to not only continue, but also expand Geisinger's work in patient care, research, education, innovation and community service, and I look forward to continuing Geisinger's trajectory of achievement upward."

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"Dr. Feinberg has a proven record of achievement, and we are confident that he will do an excellent job leading Geisinger into our second century of service," said Geisinger Board Chairman William Alexander in a statement.

In addition to his president, CEO and associate vice chancellor roles at UCLA, Feinberg has also served as vice chair for clinical affairs in the department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences; medical director, Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital at UCLA; medical director, UCLA Neuropsychiatric & Behavioral Health Sciences; medical director of managed care/outpatient services; medical director/adolescent partial hospitalization program; founder and director of child and adolescent consultation, diagnosis and brief treatment program; and director, training for child and adolescent fellow substance abuse rotation, UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute and Hospital.

Feinberg is triple-board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in child, adolescent and addiction psychiatry.

During its first century of service, and particularly over the last 15 years under Steele's leadership, Geisinger has expanded into a national model of healthcare that is widely cited by industry leaders, Congress and the White House for its innovative approaches to enhancing quality and value.

"It has been my extraordinary privilege to lead the organization from a highly respected regional provider to a nationally recognized system," Steele said in a statement.

Steele will continue as chairman of xG Health Solutions, an independently operated venture based in Columbia, Md., that helps healthcare organizations across the country create value and improve quality.

[See also: Geisinger CEO to step down.]

Geisinger Health System is widely recognized for its vertically integrated, physician-led structure, long history as a leader in the implementation and use of the electronic health records, and the development of innovative care models to enhance patient care.

As one of the nation's largest rural health services organizations, Geisinger serves more than three million residents throughout 48 counties in central, south-central and northeast Pennsylvania. Geisinger has 23,500 employees including a 1,200-member multi-specialty group practice, nine hospital campuses, two research centers and a 467,000-member health plan.