By Vicki Guinn

Legacy Health recently hired Kecia Kelly, DNP, as senior vice president and chief nursing officer, and Seth Podolsky, M.D., as senior vice president, chief medical officer. Both will serve on Legacy’s executive team.

“Kecia and Seth are dynamic leaders who come to us with diverse professional and personal experiences.,”
said Legacy Health President and CEO Kathryn Correia. “They will provide essential leadership to help
Legacy continue to innovate and grow as we fulfill our mission of good health for the communities we
serve.”

Kecia Kelly has a track record of working with hospital and regional leaders to build nursing structure and standardization across multiple sites. She brings more than 20 years of nursing and leadership experience within in-patient and out-patient settings. Kelly will lead the health system’s nursing strategy, create innovative clinical imperatives, and assist in charting the organization’s overall strategic direction to help position Legacy Health for the future state.

“Nurses have been on the sharpest edge of a worldwide pandemic, yet they remain steadfast and resilient through it all,” said Kelly. “I am truly honored and excited to join the Legacy team and to be that voice. I look forward to partnering with the hospital CNOs to develop strategies and solutions to elevate the practice of nursing across Legacy health, retain our amazing talent, and attract the best to join our team.”

Kelly comes from CommonSpirit Health, where she most recently served as the division chief nursing officer in Northern California and previously served in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps. She holds a doctorate in nursing practice, a BSN from Texas Christian University, and an MBA from The University of Phoenix.

Seth Podolsky, M.D., brings more than 20 years of experience leading strategy and operations focusing on care quality, safety, and value. Podolsky will lead the health system’s provider strategy, create innovative clinical imperatives, and assist in charting the organizations’ overall strategic direction to help Legacy Health’s quest to go beyond the horizon in healthcare.

“Our top priority is providing safe, high-quality care for every patient, every time, and I look forward to building on our team’s efforts to deliver excellent clinical outcomes,”
said Podolsky. “As healthcare is amid major transformation, we will work together to make healthcare more affordable, create better systems to serve the needs of our patients, increase joy for our caregivers, and improve the health of our communities.”

Podolsky is a trained emergency medicine physician who most recently served as system chief medical
officer, ambulatory, and integration at Banner Health System in Phoenix. Before that, he worked at the
Cleveland Clinic Health System, where he held several leadership positions. He earned his medical degree
and a philosophy degree from the University of Vermont and holds a master’s degree from Dartmouth
College’s Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice.
Both will start in July.

About Legacy Health
Legacy Health is a locally owned, nonprofit health system driven by our mission to improve the health of those around us. We offer a unique blend of health services—from wellness and urgent care to dedicated children’s care and advanced medical centers. We care for patients of all ages when and where they need us across the Portland/Vancouver metro area and mid-Willamette Valley. With an eye toward a healthier
community, our partnerships tackle vital issues such as housing and mental health. Legacy strives to help everyone live healthier and better lives, with the vision of being essential to the health of the region. For more information, visit w ww.legacyhealth.org.