Austin – Central Health announced Monday, Dec. 18, 2023, that Patrick Lee, MD, a practicing internal medicine physician, healthcare executive and most recently System Chairman of Medicine for One Brooklyn Health in New York, will be the new President & CEO of Travis County’s hospital district.

Voters created Central Health in 2004, and the hospital district will celebrate its 20th anniversary in July. The district provides healthcare services, access, and coverage to more than 152,000 people with low income in Travis County.

“I am inspired by the people of Central Health and the tremendous opportunity ahead of us,” said Dr. Lee. “I am joining an organization full of people whose values I share and whose commitment to healthcare justice I recognize and honor. The organization has numerous strengths and broad experience in partnership and community engagement. The people of Travis County have entrusted Central Health with rare gifts: strong financial support, a broad mandate to improve health for all, and the freedom to focus on what matters most – ensuring every patient receives the excellent whole-person care they need and want without delay.”

Dr. Lee was chosen by Central Health’s Board of Managers after a six-month national search including multiple consultations with the community. The board’s ad hoc Succession Committee, chaired by Ann Kitchen, shepherded the process of finding a successor to President & CEO Mike Geeslin. Other members of the Succession Committee include board Vice Chair Dr. Cynthia Brinson, Amit Motwani, and Dr. Guadalupe Zamora.

“Dr. Lee is exactly the right person to lead Central Health at this moment in time,” said Kitchen, who is the incoming chair of the Board of Managers. “As a practicing physician, he understands and cares for patients who’ve faced historical barriers accessing healthcare. His clinical expertise combined with his proven innovative approach will help Central Health implement our Healthcare Equity Plan and build a better safety-net healthcare system in Travis County. This is our commitment to Travis County, and I can’t wait for the community and our partners to get to know Pat and to work with him.”

Said Dr. Lee, “If we can deliver on this mandate – and I believe we can – then we will lead the transformation of the healthcare system in Travis County. We will go first when someone needs to take the first step. We will set the standard of excellence and inspire and assist others to join us as we raise the bar. We will make good on the trust invested in us. With deep listening, focus, and strong partnerships, we will aim to significantly reduce health disparities in Travis County on my watch. This is why I am so honored to serve as Central Health’s next President & CEO. I look forward to working with all of you” said Lee.

More People on the Move