Providence Alaska names new chief executive

Deborah Berini to lead state’s largest health provider 

-Anchorage,-Alaska-—-Deborah Berini is joining Providence Alaska as chief executive of the state’s largest health care provider and private employer on Feb. 23. A values-driven leader, Deb brings more than two decades of executive experience in complex health systems across the country.-  

Deb most recently served as president of SSM Health DePaul Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, part of SSM Health, a fully integrated nonprofit Catholic health system.-There, she led a dedicated team to strengthen financial performance, elevate patient experience, improve caregiver engagement, reduce turnover and advance quality.  

Previously, she was president of Penn State Health – Milton S. Hershey Medical Center,-where she led the strategic direction of the system’s 647-bed academic medical center, children’s hospital,-a-network of more than 100 ambulatory clinics, and academic physician practice. She also served as COO at the University of Texas Medical Branch Health System and was an associate vice president at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Prior to that, she held multiple roles at the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics.--  

In addition to her health care leadership, Deb has advised organizations nationwide on addressing caregiver burnout and advancing workforce well-being.  

Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, Deb is a graduate of Drury College in Missouri and holds-a-Master of Health Administration-from that state’s Washington University School of Medicine. She-has served on multiple-health care and community-boards and was named a top 25 chief operating officer by Modern Healthcare.--  

Deb’s consistent record of strengthening patient experience, health outcomes, caregiver engagement and financial stewardship will support Providence’s Mission to serve all, especially those who are poor and vulnerable.  

“I’m drawn to Providence by the Mission, its Catholic health heritage and the opportunity to care for Alaskans through compassion, clinical excellence and a deep respect for community,” Deb said. 

Deb has connections to the state with regular visits to her partner’s family here and is excited to make Anchorage home. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, biking, cooking, and playing board games. 

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About Providence Alaska - 

Providence Alaska is part of Providence, 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 providence.org/about/alaska.--