Laureen Driscoll Will Lead WellSpan Health

The health system has named the executive as its incoming president and CEO effective in January 2027.

Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in People

Laureen Driscoll Will Lead WellSpan Health

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Laureen Driscoll will become the new president and CEO of WellSpan Health on January 4, 2027. She succeeds outgoing CEO Roxanna Gapstur, who will retire from the York-based organization on January 3.

Why it matters

The transition marks a significant leadership change for the York health system as it manages a large regional network of facilities. Driscoll brings extensive experience from her previous role overseeing hospital operations at Providence.

WellSpan Health currently operates 12 hospitals and over 250 patient care locations with a staff of 24,000. Driscoll joins the firm after managing 17 hospitals and 41,000 caregivers at Providence.

The players

Laureen Driscoll

She is the incoming president and CEO of WellSpan Health who previously led the South Division at Providence.

Roxanna Gapstur

She served as the president and CEO of WellSpan Health starting in 2019 prior to her upcoming retirement.

WellSpan Health

This is a health system based in York, Pennsylvania, that operates 12 hospitals and hundreds of patient care sites.

Providence

This is a large health organization based in Renton, Washington, that operates hospitals across multiple states.

The details

WellSpan Health announced the leadership change through a news release confirming the executive succession. Driscoll, who joined Providence in 2022 and held prior roles at MultiCare Health System, will step down from her position as chief executive of Providence's South Division to lead the Pennsylvania health network.

Roxanna Gapstur began leading WellSpan Health in January 2019.
Retirement plans were announced by Gapstur in April 2026.
Laureen Driscoll joined the Providence organization in 2022.
The final day of Gapstur's tenure as CEO is January 3, 2027.
Driscoll assumes her new responsibilities on January 4, 2027.

Market Landscape

This leadership transition follows the path set by the 2019 appointment of Roxanna Gapstur. The appointment signals a pivot in management strategy as the system adapts to the competitive landscape of regional healthcare delivery.

Patients served by WellSpan facilities in the York area will see no immediate changes to their routine care or access to services as the leadership transition occurs. The shift is primarily an internal management reorganization for the hospital network.

The takeaway

The appointment of an executive with experience managing large-scale hospital networks suggests a focus on operational scale for the regional system. Residents should monitor local health service announcements in early 2027 for any updates to patient care strategies.