Hillcrest, a regional leader in providing high-quality healthcare services to communities across eastern and northeastern Oklahoma, announced that Jeff Johnston has been named president and chief executive officer, effective July 14.

Johnston will oversee Hillcrest’s eight hospitals and 82 sites of care. He brings 30 years of executive experience in multi-state health systems as well as academic medical centers and a national managed care organization.

He most recently served as president & CEO of Home State Health, a subsidiary of Centene Corporation, with more than 300,000 Medicaid managed care members. Johnston began his career at The MetroHealth System in Cleveland, Ohio, prior to moving to Oklahoma and Missouri where he held executive leadership roles for multiple Mercy Health facilities. He begins his new position following the previously announced retirement of current Hillcrest President Kevin Gross. “I’m pleased to welcome Jeff to our community and into this role, as Hillcrest enters a new chapter in our mission to provide compassionate, high-quality care across the region,” said Gross. “His expertise will be critical in continuing our work to build a consumer-centered healthcare ecosystem that provides the best care possible at the most convenient time and place for those we serve.

Johnston is a graduate of Southern Nazarene University and earned a master’s in hospital and health administration and an MBA from Xavier University.

— About Hillcrest HealthCare System In 1918, Hillcrest opened its doors to provide hope, health and healing to our community in a small hospital located in the heart of the city. Today, Hillcrest HealthCare System (HHS) is comprised of eight hospitals including Hillcrest Medical Center, Hillcrest Hospital South and Tulsa Spine & Specialty Hospital in Tulsa, as well as five regional hospitals, Hillcrest Hospital Claremore, Hillcrest Hospital Cushing, Hillcrest Hospital Henryetta, Hillcrest Hospital Pryor and Bailey Medical Center in Owasso. Hillcrest HealthCare System also provides comprehensive primary and specialty care services through Utica Park Clinic and Oklahoma Heart Institute. To learn more, visit hillcrest.com.