Integrated Delivery Networks

Several weeks ago, I set the stage for what we can expect in 2026. One of the key opportunities I highlighted is the continued advancement of our integrated delivery networks (IDN) to ensure a seamless experience for patients and clinicians across the care continuum. At the same time, we must remain unwavering in our commitment to clinical excellence, delivering the high standards of care our communities expect from Providence.

With this in mind, I have been carefully considering how best to align our leadership and operating model to support both clinical excellence and deeper care delivery integration across Providence.

Our aim is to ensure the latest advances and the best possible outcomes are available close to home, while streamlining decision making, elevating the clinician voice across care delivery and reducing unnecessary complexity and bureaucracy — allowing Providence to remain nimble and responsive in a rapidly changing environment.

Building on the strong foundation established by Susan Huang, M.D., system chief physician executive and chief executive of the Providence Clinical Network, we are bringing together the PCN with acute care, diagnostic and ambulatory services to fully realize integrated delivery networks in our local communities.

As part of this evolution, PCN will begin reporting to Providence COO Darryl Elmouchi, M.D., who will work closely with local leadership teams to advance this model of care. This change goes into effect April 1.

At the same time, Dr. Huang has decided to pursue other opportunities outside of Providence. While I am sad to see her leave, her contributions and leadership over the past five years have been outstanding, and she departs having established a direction that sets us up for success as we continue advancing integrated delivery in our communities.

Since joining Providence during COVID, Dr. Huang has held several leadership roles. Most recently, she provided enterprise leadership across the organization’s clinical network and played an important role in advancing Providence’s strategic direction. A strong advocate for physician and advanced practitioner leadership and clinical excellence, she has helped guide Providence through a period of transformation to revitalize the practice of medicine and care delivery, and elevate the clinical voice.

Dr. Huang will help with the transition and will remain at Providence as chief physician executive until May 31. Please join me in thanking Dr. Huang for her many contributions to our ministry and wishing her the very best in this next step of her journey.
In the coming weeks, Dr. Elmouchi will work directly with leaders across the system to further shape and operationalize our IDN model. You may also have seen his recent announcement about aligning clinical shared services across Providence — an important step in harnessing our scale to better support patients and clinicians with high-quality ancillary services.

I would like to thank the Providence Medical Group Board, the California Medical Foundation Board, the Physician and Advanced Practitioner Advisory Council and others for your counsel as we considered the IDN structure. Your insights and guidance have been invaluable.

You will hear more as this work continues to take shape. In the meantime, Dr. Huang has asked me to share a personal message from her below. Please join me in thanking Dr. Huang for her many contributions to our ministry and in wishing her all the best. As we carry her work forward, I am energized by what’s possible as we create greater alignment and impact on behalf of those we are called to serve.

Erik G. Wexler
President and CEO

A personal message from Susan Huang, M.D.

It has been a privilege and honor to serve and lead at Providence in pursuit of our vision of Health for a Better World. Together, we confronted the challenges of COVID, navigated the many headwinds of health care and emerged stronger as an organization.

Along the way, we advanced our shared commitment to delivering high-quality, safe, accessible, compassionate and innovative care to the communities that we serve across our many ministries. We strengthened the Providence Clinical Network, elevated the voices of our physicians, advanced practitioners and clinicians and kept our patients, our people and our Mission at the center of our decisions.

I look back with great pride on all that we accomplished together and with deep gratitude for the opportunity to have served alongside such extraordinary colleagues and partners. I leave with optimism for the future and with great confidence that the Mission of Providence will continue to thrive. Thank you for your trust, your partnership and your commitment to serving those in need.

Susan Huang, M.D.