The MetroHealth System’s Board of Trustees has terminated its at-will employment contract with president and CEO Dr. Airica Steed, effective immediately.
Founded in 1837, MetroHealth is a public, safety-net health system in Cleveland, Ohio comprising five hospitals, four emergency departments, and more than 20 health centers across the region. With nearly 9,000 employees, the system is focused on addressing health disparities and delivering equitable care throughout the community.
According to Dr. E. Harry Walker, chair of the Board of Trustees, the decision was driven by a fundamental disagreement between the board and Dr. Steed regarding the priorities and performance standards necessary for MetroHealth to achieve its mission. “We believe Dr. Steed’s performance is not meeting the needs of MetroHealth,” Walker stated. “As a result, we have lost confidence in her ability to lead the organization going forward and believe it would not be in the best interest of the system for her to continue in her position.”
The termination went into effect less than three weeks after Dr. Steed took a temporary medical leave of absence on July 23. Dr. Christine Alexander-Rager was named acting president and CEO on July 26.
Dr. Steed had been with MetroHealth since 2022, a period during which the board had high expectations for her leadership. Despite the termination, Walker expressed gratitude for her service and wished her success in future endeavors.
MetroHealth, which has served the Cleveland and Cuyahoga County communities for 187 years, remains committed to its mission of providing equitable healthcare. The board emphasized that senior leadership is prepared to step in and ensure continuity in service and excellence for the hospital system’s patients and the broader community.
