Premier Health Announces Appointment of Rosanna Morris as Next President and Chief Executive Officer Effective Q1 2027

DAYTON, Ohio (Oct. 22, 2026) – The Premier Health Board of Trustees today announced the appointment of Rosanna Morris, MBA, BSN, RN, as the organization's next President and Chief Executive Officer, effective in the first quarter of 2027. Morris will succeed Michael Riordan, who plans to retire following five years of transformational leadership.

Following an extensive national search, the Board unanimously selected Morris, an accomplished healthcare executive with more than 27 years of leadership experience across leading academic medical centers and integrated health systems.

Morris currently serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Clinical Operating Officer at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, where she oversees a $6 billion clinical enterprise and leads initiatives focused on quality, growth, innovation, and operational excellence. Previously, she served as President of Beaumont Hospital-Royal Oak (Michigan) and held executive leadership roles at Nebraska Medicine, one of the nation's premier academic health systems.

"Rosanna is a talented leader whose experience spans some of the country's most respected academic healthcare organizations," said Jason Mahoney, Chair-Elect of the Premier Health Board of Trustees and Chair of the CEO Selection Committee. "As Premier Health continues to advance its mission, Rosanna's leadership experience, strategic vision, and commitment to people uniquely position her to lead our next chapter."

A registered nurse by training, Morris has earned national recognition for her leadership, including honors from Becker's Hospital Review and Modern Healthcare.

Morris said she was particularly impressed by Premier Health's leadership, academic partnerships, including its longstanding relationship with Wright State University, and commitment to developing the healthcare workforce of the future.

"I am deeply honored by the Board's confidence and excited for the opportunity to lead Premier Health," Morris said. "What drew me to Premier Health is its strong culture, talented people, and commitment to its academic tripartite missions. I am inspired by the health system’s long-standing commitment to the communities it serves and the strong relationship and partnership with Wright State University. As the region's academic health system, Premier Health is uniquely positioned to advance patient care, expand its ability to educate future healthcare professionals, and drive innovation and discoveries that provide cures and improve lives. I am truly looking forward to working alongside our physicians and nurses, care teams, and Premier Health teammates across the system as well as our community partners as we build on the organization's momentum and shape the future of healthcare in southwest Ohio and beyond.”

The appointment follows a thoughtful succession planning process led by the Board of Trustees. To ensure a seamless transition, Morris will work closely with Riordan, Premier Health's senior leadership team, physicians, and the Board in the months leading up to her start as President and CEO.

The Board also expressed its gratitude to Riordan for his transformational leadership and lasting contributions to the organization. During his tenure, Premier Health restored financial stability, strengthened its market position, achieved multiple credit rating upgrades, accelerated its evolution as southwest Ohio's academic health system, and established a strong foundation for future growth and innovation.

"Mike's leadership has strengthened Premier Health's position as a leading health system and helped lay the groundwork for its future as the region's academic health system," said Jill Wilson, Chair of the Premier Health Board of Trustees. "We are deeply grateful for his vision, service, and steadfast commitment to our mission."