Lee Ann Liska, a health care executive with more than 30 years’ experience, has been named executive vice president for health affairs and chief executive officer at Augusta University Medical Center, effective Aug. 22.  

In her new role, she will lead the medical center, including the Children’s Hospital of Georgia, and provide executive oversight for Roosevelt Warm Springs Rehabilitation and Specialty Hospitals, Georgia Correctional HealthCare and the Georgia War Veterans Nursing Home.

“Lee Ann will be an outstanding addition to the leadership team at Augusta,” said Dr. Brooks A. Keel, Augusta University president and health system CEO. “She comes to us with an impressive track record of effective and inspired executive leadership. Her strategic, financial and operational expertise, coupled with her enthusiasm, openness, and her commitment to transparent communication, will allow her to move our health system forward in new and exciting ways.”

Prior to joining the state’s academic medical center, Liska served as president and chief executive officer at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, chief operating officer for Mercy Health, executive director and senior vice president at University Hospital in Cincinnati, and as senior executive for MetroHealth and Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio.

“I am thrilled to join Augusta University Medical Center and the Augusta community,” Liska said.  “In meeting with Dr. Keel, members of the search committee and a number of faculty, board and staff members, I was truly impressed with the level of expertise and professionalism and the commitment to quality care. I look forward to joining my new colleagues in building on the strong foundation that has already been laid.”

Liska is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives. She is a nationally recognized expert in health system optimization and previously served as adjunct professor at Xavier University and guest lecturer at the University of Cincinnati.

She serves on the boards of several not-for-profits including the American Heart Association, United Way of Greater Cincinnati, YWCA, Cincinnati Opera, and the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden.

Liska earned an executive MBA and a bachelor’s degree in communication, both from Cleveland State University.

Keel expressed his gratitude for the leadership provided by Dr. Peter Buckley, dean of the Medical College of Georgia, who has served as interim CEO of the medical center since 2014.

“I am grateful for Peter’s fine work over the past two years,” he said. “He has been a strong advocate for our patients, physicians and staff and has helped spearhead new initiatives aimed at improved hospital performance and better patient experiences.”