Kerry Heinrich Stepping Down as Loma Linda CEO, Moves to Adventist Health

Kerry Heinrich is stepping down as chief executive officer for Loma Linda University Health hospitals. He has accepted the position of chief executive officer of Adventist Health based in Roseville, California, United States.

Heinrich began at Loma Linda University Health as legal counsel on the groundbreaking Baby Fae transplant case in 1984 and has overseen numerous organizational milestones. He was instrumental in the separate licensing of Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital before being named CEO in 2014. Heinrich was also an essential part of the careful financial guidance and construction of the new Dennis and Carol Troesh Medical Campus.

“I am humbled and honored to have had the privilege to serve in various roles throughout my career at Loma Linda University Health,” Heinrich said. “It has been a blessing to support the mission of this organization, for which I have a deep and profound love.”

Trevor Wright, the current chief operating officer, will serve as interim CEO of Loma Linda University Health hospitals effective October 25, 2021. Wright is a key member of the leadership team and has had significant responsibilities for the hospitals’ accomplishments during the past six years. A search process will begin immediately to identify a new CEO.

Richard H. Hart, president of Loma Linda University Health, said, “I want to acknowledge and thank Kerry for the incredible leadership he has provided to Loma Linda University Health in his nearly 40-year career, and I wish Kerry the very best as he takes up his new responsibilities.”

Adventist Health Reacts

Adventist Health board chair John Freedman recently announced to the board that Heinrich would fill the position of CEO. He will replace Scott Reiner, who announced his resignation in July 2021 to establish a family foundation focused on global health and well-being. 

According to Adventist Health leaders, Heinrich brings a deep understanding of Adventist Health’s mission and culture to his new role, having led the Loma Linda University Medical Center, Children’s Hospital, and Behavioral Medicine Center as CEO for more than seven years and has served as the organization’s legal counsel for more than 20 years. During his tenure as CEO, he was named one of Becker’s Hospital Review’s “135 Nonprofit Hospital and Health System CEOs to Know” in 2017.

After earning his bachelor’s degree in history and a minor in business with an emphasis in finance and management from Walla Walla University in Washington, Heinrich earned his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Oregon’s School of Law.

“Kerry is an exceptional leader who brings a wealth of experience to our organization,” Freedman said. “He is passionate about Adventist Health’s mission and our 2030 strategic vision.”

Adventist Health also shared that Heinrich served for seven years on the board of the organization, a US$5 billion nonprofit health system caring for more than 80 communities on the West Coast and Hawaii, as well as many others throughout the United States through its Blue Zones company.

“I have always loved Adventist Health’s mission of living God’s love by inspiring health, wholeness, and hope,” Heinrich said. “I’m honored to have been selected to lead and support this incredible team in this high calling.”

Adventist Health noted that the leadership transition is expected to be completed by the new year.

The original versions of this story were posted in releases from Loma Linda University Health News and Adventist Health.