The MetroHealth System Board of Trustees today voted to promote Christine Alexander-Rager, MD, to President and CEO, effectively immediately. Dr. Alexander-Rager, a family medicine physician with MetroHealth for nearly three decades, has served as the health system's acting chief executive since late July.

Dr. Alexander-Rager's contract will run through 2025.

"Dr. Alexander-Rager cares deeply about this institution, our employees and our community," said E. Harry Walker, MD, Chair, Board of Trustees. "In her 27 years at MetroHealth as a primary care physician, she has always put our patients' well-being at the center of every decision, every initiative and every moment of care. Her vision for MetroHealth and her deep commitment to our mission make her the ideal leader to guide us forward."

In addition to her role as acting chief executive, Dr. Alexander-Rager served as MetroHealth's Interim Chief Physician and Clinical Executive, where she oversaw the health system's entire clinical enterprise.

Prior to that, she served as Chair of Family Medicine for 14 years. She is also the founder of MetroHealth's nationally recognized School Health Program, which partners with the Cleveland Metropolitan School District and other school systems to bring in-school clinics, mobile units and other services to students and their families. She also served as president of MetroHealth's Medical Staff from February 2022 to February 2024.

"There is no group of caregivers more devoted, more caring and more committed to patients and to our community than MetroHealth's 9,000 caregivers," Dr. Alexander-Rager said. "It is an honor to be leading them and to be guiding our health system into the future."

Dr. Alexander-Rager earned her medical degree at The Ohio State University College of Medicine & Public Health. She completed her residency in family medicine at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia as well as fellowships in family medicine and obstetrics and academic medicine at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center's St. Margaret and Mercy hospitals, respectively.