Providence Alaska appoints new chief executive

Ella Goss, MSN, RN, to lead state’s largest health care provider

Anchorage, Alaska — Providence Alaska Medical Center Chief Executive Ella Goss, MSN, RN, will serve as chief executive of Providence Alaska, the state’s largest health care provider, beginning Sept. 1.

Goss brings more than 30 years of clinical and health care leadership experience to the position. She most recently served as chief executive of PAMC and chief administrative officer for Providence Alaska’s critical access hospitals in Kodiak, Seward and Valdez.

Since joining Providence in 1997 as a staff nurse in PAMC’s Emergency Department, Goss has served in a variety of leadership roles, including chief flight nurse for LifeGuard air ambulance service, clinical manager of Emergency Services, director of Medical Staff, Risk Management and Regulatory Services, and director of the Providence Cancer Center. During her tenure as chief executive at PAMC, she led the state’s largest hospital through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prior to joining Providence, Goss worked in rural emergency departments in Kotzebue and Newfoundland. She has a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in nursing from Chamberlain University. She also earned certification as a professional in health care risk management and health care quality.

“I’m honored to lead Providence Alaska,” Goss said. “We have a rich legacy in this state, beginning 120 years ago when the first Sisters of Providence arrived in Nome. Every day, our caregivers continue to deliver on our mission to serve all, especially those who are poor and vulnerable. I’m humbled by their resiliency and commitment to providing world-class care close to home for all Alaskans.”

Providence Alaska’s current chief executive, Preston M. Simmons, DSc., FACHE, announced his retirement today and will remain with the organization through September to ensure a smooth transition. Simmons has served Providence Alaska since 2017 and has been instrumental in improving the value equation for health care in Alaska, including new, more affordable venues of care. He has also dedicated resources to community partnerships and advocacy for the poor and vulnerable.

“Ella’s career has been defined by leading organizations through transformation with courage and conviction,” Simmons said. “As Providence looks toward next steps on our journey to value-based care, Ella is the right leader at the right time to lead Providence Alaska.”

Goss is committed to community service and volunteers with several boards and councils, including the University of Alaska Foundation and the American Heart Association Western States.

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Providence is a not-for-profit network of hospitals, care centers, health plans, physicians, clinics, home health services, affiliated services and educational facilities. For more information about Providence, visit: www.providence.org/alaska.