Michelle Oxford brings two decades of hospital leadership and operational expertise to the role
SANTA ROSA, Calif. – Not-for-profit Sutter Health today announced that Michelle Oxford, MBA, FACHE, has been named Chief Executive Officer of Sutter Santa Rosa Regional Hospital (SSRRH), effective Dec. 1. Oxford will serve as a dyad partner to Chief Medical Executive Dr. Karin Shavelson, with Kirkland Wade continuing in his role as Chief Operations Officer.
Sutter Santa Rosa Regional Hospital
Oxford has more than 20 years of experience leading hospital operations and growth initiatives. Most recently, she served as Chief Administrative Officer for Providence’s Northern California region, overseeing operational leadership for Healdsburg and Petaluma Hospitals and coordinating strategic alignment across a six-hospital network. During her tenure, she co-led a financial performance optimization plan, increased patient satisfaction, and strengthened employee engagement while reducing turnover.
Previously, Oxford served as President and CEO of Bakersfield Heart Hospital, successfully revitalizing the organization and strengthening its performance across the board. Under her leadership, the hospital earned its first-ever Leapfrog “A” Safety Grade, achieved top regional patient satisfaction scores, strengthened physician alignment and expanded specialty programs, including the region’s first Women’s Heart Center, a Center for Wound Healing, a comprehensive Joint Center and a structural heart program. She has also held progressive leadership roles with Dignity Health Mercy and Memorial Hospitals, advancing service line development and expanding access to specialty care.
“Michelle’s leadership is defined by transparency, collaboration and an unwavering focus on quality,” said Christina Oh, president of Sutter’s Greater San Francisco and East Bay Division. “Her track record of building strong teams and delivering patient-centered care will be invaluable as Sutter Santa Rosa continues to grow and meet the healthcare needs of the Sonoma County community.”
Oxford holds an MBA in Healthcare Management from Western Governors University and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from California State University, Bakersfield. She is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and has completed executive leadership programs at Harvard University’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health and the Denver Health Lean Academy.
“I’m thrilled to join Sutter Santa Rosa Regional Hospital,” said Michelle Oxford. “Our goal is to make SSRRH a great place to work and practice medicine, a trusted place for patients to receive care, and to keep expanding the high-quality services our community needs. Together, we’ll build on SSRRH’s strong foundation and shape the future of care for all we serve.”
About Sutter Santa Rosa Regional Hospital
Sutter Santa Rosa Regional Hospital (opened in 2014) is a modern, full‑service, not‑for‑profit acute care hospital. With 124 total licensed beds, it offers a strong suite of clinical specialties, including bariatric surgery, cardiac services, orthopedics, women’s health, and labor and delivery, in addition to 24‑hour emergency care and surgical care. The hospital recently earned a Leapfrog “A” Safety Grade and was named one of Healthgrades America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Orthopedic Surgery™, underscoring its commitment to high-quality, safe, patient-centered outcomes. The hospital is also a Primary Stroke Center and part of Sutter Health’s robust telestroke network that operates across Northern California.
