Trustees approve 3-year contract for MetroHealth President & CEO Christine Alexander-Rager, MD

December 10, 2025 – Cleveland – The MetroHealth System Board of Trustees today voted to approve a new contract for President and CEO Christine Alexander-Rager, MD. The vote was unanimous.

The three-year agreement extends the leadership term of Dr. Alexander-Rager through January 9, 2029. Her current contract was set to expire on January 8, 2026. Other terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

“Dr. Alexander-Rager has earned the full support and confidence of our Board by continuing to do what she’s done for her entire 28-year career at MetroHealth: build trust, provide stability and make the best possible decisions for our patients, caregivers and community,” said E. Harry Walker, MD, Chair, Board of Trustees. “We are excited that Dr. Alexander-Rager will continue to provide the steady, skilled hand of leadership that our system needs – and patients deserve – during these challenging yet exciting times for healthcare.”

Dr. Alexander-Rager, a family medicine physician at MetroHealth since 1997, became MetroHealth’s acting chief executive in July 2024. The Board promoted her to President and CEO in October 2024.

Under her leadership, MetroHealth has continued to show strong growth in revenue and patient volumes. The system has also endured financial challenges. Earlier in 2025, facing a growing budget deficit due to rising costs and an unexpected spike in charity care, Dr. Alexander-Rager acted decisively to execute a comprehensive plan to reduce costs, improve operational efficiency and increase access to care. The plan included executive pay cuts, a reduction in force, site closures and other measures. These strong leadership decisions have improved MetroHealth’s financial outlook, and while the system still expects a loss in 2025, it could have been much larger.

“Dr. Alexander-Rager made these difficult decisions after listening to front-line caregivers, collaborating with her talented executive team and acting with resolve to best prepare MetroHealth to thrive in the years to come,” said Dr. Walker. “In less than 18 months leading our system, she has nurtured a culture of transparency, excellence and service. She is a refreshing and authentic leader who embodies the mission of MetroHealth and the spirit of our remarkable caregivers.

“Dr. Alexander-Rager is the right leader in the right place and at the right time.”

About Dr. Christine Alexander-Rager - A family-medicine physician with MetroHealth for nearly three decades, Dr. Alexander-Rager, MD, was named President and CEO of The MetroHealth System in October 2024.  

Before becoming MetroHealth’s top executive, Dr. Alexander-Rager served as its Interim Chief Physician and Clinical Executive, charged with leading the health system’s clinical enterprise. 

She took on that role after 14 years as chair of Family Medicine. Besides caring for patients – her first love professionally – she founded MetroHealth’s nationally recognized School Health Program, which partners with the Cleveland Metropolitan School District and other school systems to bring in-school clinics, mobile units and other services to students and their families. She also sparked creation of MetroHealth’s medical outreach to the homeless. And she served as president of MetroHealth’s Medical Staff from February 2022 to February 2024. 

A native of Youngstown, Dr. Alexander-Rager earned her medical degree at The Ohio State University College of Medicine & Public Health. She completed her residency in family medicine at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia as well as fellowships at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center’s St. Margaret and Mercy hospitals.