St. Joseph Regional Medical Center CEO to Retire

Ed Freysinger will step down as leader of the Lewiston hospital in January 2027.

Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Healthcare

St. Joseph Regional Medical Center CEO to Retire

Live Poll

Does frequent change in hospital ownership make you less confident in your local medical facility's leadership?

St. Joseph Regional Medical Center CEO Ed Freysinger has announced his plans to retire. The veteran executive, who has led the hospital since 2021, will vacate his position in January 2027.

Why it matters

The transition marks a change in leadership for a key healthcare provider in the Lewis and Clark Valley. Freysinger is concluding a 43-year career in the health care industry.

Freysinger has served as CEO since 2021, part of a broader 43-year career in health care. During his recent leadership, the hospital earned Top 100 Community Hospital recognition in 2025 and 2026.

The players

Ed Freysinger

He is the current CEO of St. Joseph Regional Medical Center and has spent 43 years working in the health care field.

St. Joseph Regional Medical Center

This facility is a major hospital serving the residents of the Lewis and Clark Valley.

Lifepoint Health

This company is a healthcare provider that acquired St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in 2026.

The details

Freysinger announced his retirement in a letter addressed to the hospital employees, medical staff, and volunteers. During his tenure, the facility received two A Hospital Safety Grades from The Leapfrog Group and excellence recognition in obstetrics from U.S. News & World Report.

Timeline

  1. 2017: Ascension Health sold the hospital to RCCH Healthcare Partners.

  2. 2021: Ed Freysinger was appointed CEO, and ScionHealth acquired the hospital.

  3. 2025: The hospital was named a Top 100 Community Hospital.

  4. 2026: Lifepoint Health acquired the hospital, and it was again named a Top 100 Community Hospital.

  5. January 2027: Ed Freysinger will officially retire from his position.

Market Landscape

The leadership change arrives following a period of intense consolidation, as ownership of the facility moved through multiple entities including RCCH, ScionHealth, and Lifepoint Health. These acquisitions reflect a broader industry trend of regional hospitals integrating into larger health networks.

The transition will not immediately change day-to-day operations for patients receiving care at the facility. Hospital management will provide updates regarding future leadership as they become available.

The takeaway

The upcoming leadership change serves as a reminder for patients to stay informed about changes in administrative guidance at local health facilities. Executives often work with teams to ensure operational stability throughout the transition period.

Further reading

Learn more about local health services by visiting the Healthcare section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Moscow-Pullman Daily News.

Live Poll

Does frequent change in hospital ownership make you less confident in your local medical facility's leadership?