Executive Leadership

Liz is a registered dietitian and holds a master’s degree in Business and Computer Resource Management. Prior to joining PeaceHealth, she served as community chief executive officer for Providence Health & Services in South Bay, California. After 10 years active duty in the U.S. Air Force, Liz served 10 years in the reserves, retiring as a lieutenant colonel. She is the first lay woman leader of the PeaceHealth system and is committed to our legacy of enabling the well-being of communities.

Richard has more than 25 years of progressive, not-for-profit, mission-based healthcare leadership experience in hospital and clinic operations and strategic development. He brings a deep understanding of healthcare operations, clinical excellence and community health and wellness to PeaceHealth. The epitome of a servant leader, Richard has robust experience in senior administrative roles as well as clinical experience. Most recently, he served as COO of the University of California, San Francisco’s Benioff Children’s Hospital in the San Francisco Bay area.

Mike offers more than 30 years of leadership experience in the healthcare industry. He’s worked with major healthcare clients across the country, helping them grow and transform to meet the demands of a rapidly changing industry. Mike oversees PeaceHealth’s strategy, business development, philanthropy, community benefit and health, and strategic joint alliances and health ventures. Bringing these groups together enables greater collaboration between PeaceHealth and our community partners.

Michelle is an experienced nurse executive, well respected across disciplines as a collaborative partner and a steadfast advocate for quality, safety and compassion in delivering the very best healthcare. With more than 30 years of experience in healthcare, Michelle is focused on accelerating nursing excellence. Her nursing journey includes a diverse portfolio of clinical roles – from nursing homes to critical care units, from critical access hospitals to quaternary care referral centers. Michelle earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Washington Governors University and her master’s degrees in Management and Business Administration from the University of Phoenix.

Tom brings an abundance of strategic experience, wisdom and judgment to PeaceHealth. He began serving the organization in March 2020 as a member of the Legal team, supporting strategic relationships and affiliations, as well as governance. Prior to joining PeaceHealth, Tom served at Buchalter Ater Wynne LPP in Portland, Oregon, advising healthcare clients, including PeaceHealth. After earning his bachelor’s in Economics from Willamette University, he earned his Juris Doctor from Lewis and Clark Law School. 

Darrin brings nearly 30 years of healthcare experience to PeaceHealth, with an exceptional record of leadership success encompassing strategy, operations and finance for integrated health systems. He oversees PeaceHealth’s long-term financial and growth strategies. Prior to joining PeaceHealth, Darrin served as the executive vice president and chief operating officer for Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Darrin earned an MBA from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, as well as a bachelor’s degree in economics/business from the University of California – Los Angeles.

Sarah is an award-winning executive leader with more than 20 years of healthcare experience. Having spent most of her professional career dedicated to PeaceHealth, Sarah has a deep understanding of the Mission and has proven herself to be a strategic, collaborative, pragmatic problem-solver, who delivers results with humility and transparency. Sarah is responsible for Caregiver Safety and Compliance, Human Resources, Recruitment, Engagement, Total Rewards, Organizational Integrity, Risk Management, Patient Experience and Marketing and Communications divisions as well as governance. Sarah holds an MBA from City University of Seattle and a dual bachelor’s degree in business administration and humanities from Seattle University. 

Dr. Edwards is an innovative, experienced leader who is passionate about ensuring patients have access to safe, efficient and respectful healthcare. As the chief executive for PeaceHealth Medical Group, Dr. Edwards provides guidance to help the medical group with expanding access to primary care, integration of walk-in services, growing our patient base, expanding medical and surgical specialties where appropriate and enhancing care management services for at-risk patients. A board-certified gynecologist, Dr. Edwards earned her medical degree from Oregon Health & Science University in Portland and holds a master’s in healthcare administration from the University of Scranton.

A former hospitalist and experienced physician leader, Dr. McGovern has an eye on high-quality care and helped guide PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend to its first ever CMS 5-star rating while securing multiple Leapfrog A ratings. Dr. McGovern came to PeaceHealth from Wisconsin-based ThedaCare, where he served in several leadership roles including system vice president of medical affairs. He was recognized as a US News and World Report Top Doc while working in Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. McGovern graduated from the Medical College of Wisconsin and did his internal medicine residency at St. Vincent Hospital in Indiana. 

Cherelle first joined PeaceHealth as the chief administrative officer of PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center in 2017. Her unwavering strategic vision and leadership contributed to notable accomplishments including consecutive achievement of Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade A, a decrease in serious safety events, and a strengthening of the hospital’s overall finances. Prior to PeaceHealth, Cherelle served as the regional vice president of Mercy Medical Center and the chief executive officer of Hansen Family Hospital in Iowa. Cherelle holds a master’s in social work which is where her extensive healthcare background began, later becoming a marriage and family therapist.

Charles brings nearly 30 years of healthcare experience to PeaceHealth, holding roles of increasing management and executive-level responsibility in healthcare settings ranging from small community hospitals to large, tertiary care facilities. A service-oriented leader who advocates for innovation, Charles is highly skilled in building and maintaining relationships with caregivers, providers and the community. While dedicated to PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center, Charles also provides regional oversight for PeaceHealth United General and Peace Island Medical Centers. Prior to joining PeaceHealth, Charles served as chief executive officer of Alta Bates Summit Medical Center in Oakland, California, a multi-campus hospital enterprise, part of Sutter Health, based in Sacramento. 

Kendall began his leadership journey as an RN on the front line of patient care, serving a 15-year tenure at PeaceHealth Ketchikan Medical Center. He returned to PeaceHealth after amassing more than 25 years of experience and innovation in executive healthcare leadership. Leading in multiple care environments, he is a skilled relationship-builder recognized for his thoughtful communication, presence and teamwork. Prior to rejoining PeaceHealth, Kendall served as chief operating officer for Providence Portland Medical Center. During his tenure, Providence gained top-quartile patient experience scores for inpatient and the Emergency Department as well as Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade A. Kendall holds a master’s in healthcare administration from the University of Phoenix.