MetroHealth System CEO Airica Steed, who took the helm of the hospital health system in December 2022, has taken a temporary leave of absence, according to an email to hospital staff obtained by Signal Cleveland. 

“I wanted to let you know that Dr. Airica Steed, Metrohealth’s CEO & President, is taking a short leave,” wrote Derrick Hollings, executive vice president and chief financial and system services officer. “In her absence, she has designated me to handle her day-to-day responsibilities.”

The email did not cite any reason for her absence, medical or otherwise. Nor did it offer a timeline for her return.

“Please know that I share Dr. Steed’s admiration for the mission critical work you do every day to serve our patients, this organization and the Greater Cleveland community,” Hollings wrote. “This temporary situation will not affect our mission or that important work in any way. I ask you to join me and the entire leadership team in wishing Dr. Steed all the best as we await her return.” 

A spokesperson for the hospital confirmed that the message was sent to employees but didn’t offer any initial details. But the hosptial confirmed around 8 p.m. that Steed is on medical leave.

Her leave comes at a critical time because MetroHealth, as well as the hospital industry, is facing growing financial pressure triggered in part by the pandemic, a hospital worker shortage and by inflation. In an opinion article Steed recently wrote for Cleveland.com, she said about the hospital’s plans to scale back a campus park project that she “must be realistic about our needs, responsibilities, and resources.”

Steed was rushed into the job a month earlier than planned, after the MetroHealth board of trustees ousted its former CEO, Dr. Akram Boutros, just before his planned retirement.  

There are no public board meeting minutes that discuss Steed’s leave. A special meeting of the Board of Trustees Executive Committee met July 16 in executive session, according to the board’s website. 

This story was updated to include MetorHealth’s confirmation that Steed is on medical leave.

Signal Statewide Bureau Chief/Editor-At-Large
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