BREAKING: Orlando Health names new president, CEO

Orlando Health has named David W. Strong president and chief executive officer of the $2.1 billion health care system. His appointment will become effective in early April.

Strong currently serves as president of Rex Healthcare, in Raleigh, North Carolina, an affiliate of UNC Health Care, and chief operating officer for system affiliations at the University of North Carolina Health Care System in Chapel Hill.

“David is an accomplished hospital executive who is recognized for his focus on physician relations, quality care, patient and co-worker satisfaction, and improved fiscal outcomes," said Dianna Morgan, chairman of the board of directors for Orlando Health. "We believe he has the experience, knowledge, skills and ability to successfully lead Orlando Health into the future.”

As president and CEO of Orlando Health, Strong will be responsible for providing leadership, strategic guidance and direction of the organization which consists of eight wholly-owned or partnership hospitals; Orlando Health Physician Group and Physician Associates, two of the largest multi-specialty practices in Central Florida; ownership in an outpatient surgery center, and a subsidiary interest in five outpatient imaging centers.

“I look forward to working closely with physicians, team members and the board to ensure Orlando Health’s continued success. We are excited about engaging in the Central Florida community" he said.

Strong brings more than 20 years of healthcare management expertise and experience to his role at Orlando Health. He began his health care career at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge, LA, where he served as vice president of operations and ambulatory care as well as executive vice president.

In 2000, he joined Mercy Health Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, as chief operating officer. Under his leadership, the hospital opened urgent care centers and primary care practices, expanded and renovated patient units and opened the Oklahoma Heart Hospital, a 78-bed joint ventured heart hospital.

In 2004, he was named president of Rex Healthcare.

In November 2011, Mr. Strong added to his responsibilities when he was named chief operating officer for system affiliations at the University of North Carolina Health Care system in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. In this position, Strong is responsible for the leadership of seven community hospitals representing nearly 2,000 licensed hospitals beds, ambulatory and post-acute facilities, physician practices and joint ventures. He also created Rex Health Ventures, one of the only venture capital investment funds in the country started by a community, non-profit hospital, used to spur healthcare innovation and improve service, care and efficiency.

Strong received his bachelor's degree in business management from Southern Nazarene University in Bethany, Oklahoma, and a master's degree in hospital and health administration degree from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio.

He and his wife, Grace, are the proud parents of four children.