Samaritan Health Services President and CEO Doug Boysen has announced he is planning to step down from the role in 2025.
Boysen has been working with the Samaritan Health Services board to develop a transition plan, which will begin with the recruitment of a new CEO for the system.
System Board Chair Nancy Seifert said, “It has been a distinct pleasure working so closely with Doug during the past seven years. He is an authentic, smart, mission-driven leader who has guided Samaritan through unforeseen challenges.
“We’re sorry to see him go, but glad to have the opportunity to partner with him to orchestrate a smooth transition for the system.”
A native of Iowa, Boysen graduated from the University of Iowa with both a master’s degree in health administration and a juris doctorate. He has maintained his connection to the University of Iowa by serving on the Alumni Board of Directors for the Master of Health Administration program.
Boysen worked for several years at Von Briesen, Purtell & Roper, a nationally recognized health law firm, in Milwaukee, Wis., then moved to Portland, where he spent five-plus years as assistant general counsel at Legacy Health in Portland. Boysen joined Samaritan Health Services in 2006 as vice president and general counsel, and in 2012 he was promoted to vice president of general counsel and Human Resources.
After a brief return to Wisconsin, Boysen returned to Samaritan Health Services in June of 2015 as executive vice president and chief administrative officer. He became president and CEO of Samaritan Health Services in early 2018. He has served as a guest lecturer at Oregon State University, Pacific University and Western University of Health Sciences, and as an adjunct faculty member at Oregon State University and Pacific University.
Boysen has been an active member of the local community, volunteering with Willamette Neighborhood Housing Services, Center for Nonprofit Stewardship, Big Brothers Big Sisters and Trout Unlimited. He was also appointed in 2017 to the Corvallis Vision 2040 Implementation Group — ICAN (Imagine Corvallis Action Network Advisory Board).
Boysen has not announced the timing of his last day. According to a Samaritan statement, he plans to remain in his role to support the transition once a new CEO has been identified.
He expressed gratitude for his time with the local health provider.
“The board has been incredibly supportive of me and the organization,” Boysen said. “I am grateful that they have given me the honor of being CEO of Samaritan.
“Together, we have built two new hospitals, navigated a world-wide pandemic, and developed many new clinical programs to enhance the health of the communities we serve.
“I have given it my all as a leader and feel it is the right time for new leadership at Samaritan.”