Gilliland to Lead Geisinger Once Ryu Leaves for Risant

March 11, 2024

New CEO’s career has included stints at Blue Shield of California, Sentara Healthcare, and Permanente Medical Groups

Terry Gilliland, M.D., Gilliland is joining Geisinger after serving as chief medical officer and chief science officer at Cogitativo, a healthcare-focused artificial intelligence and machine learning company.

Danville, Pa.-based Geisinger said that Terry Gilliland, M.D., will become chief executive officer once Jaewon Ryu, M.D., J.D., transitions to CEO of Risant Health, the nonprofit organization created by Kaiser Foundation Hospitals to expand and accelerate the adoption of value-based care in diverse, multi-payer, multi-provider, community-based health system environments.

Prior to joining 10-hospital Geisinger, Gilliland served as chief medical officer and chief science officer at Cogitativo, a healthcare-focused artificial intelligence and machine learning company.

Before that, he served as executive vice president of healthcare quality and affordability at Blue Shield of California and senior vice president and chief medical officer of Sentara Healthcare. Earlier in his career, he held various leadership roles at the Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group and the Colorado Permanente Medical Group within Kaiser Permanente, in addition to being a practicing general surgeon for Kaiser Permanente.

“Dr. Gilliland is an excellent physician and leader,” said Ryu in a statement. “Healthcare is dealing with unprecedented challenges, and we need to continue to evolve to succeed as an organization and provide our communities with the care they need and deserve. I am confident that Dr. Gilliland’s leadership will position Geisinger for another 100 years of success.”

 “It is an honor to be leading Geisinger,” said Gilliland in a statement. “Leading an organization with this type of history, mission and reputation is the opportunity of a lifetime. I became a surgeon to improve the lives of my patients. Leading the 25,000 dedicated professionals at Geisinger gives me the opportunity to improve the lives of hundreds of thousands of people in communities throughout Pennsylvania. It is a privilege to accept that responsibility and join this incredible team of caregivers and administrative staff.”

A year ago, when the creation of Risant was announced, Ryu said it would enable Geisinger to accelerate its vision and continue to invest in new and existing capabilities. “Kaiser Permanente and Geisinger share a vision for the future of health care, and as the Risant Health name indicates, we believe by working together we will reach new heights in healthcare and raise the bar for better health for all communities.”