(Batesville, Ark) – White River Health (WRH) Board of Directors recently announced the appointment of the new WRH President and CEO, Steven Webb, FACHE, effective immediately. Webb has served as Chief Operating Officer (COO) of WRH since July 2024. Chris Steel, MD, FACHE served as Interim President & CEO as WRH completed a committee-based search for a permanent candidate.

During the interim, the WRH Board of Directors directed the transition in leadership by forming a search committee with the goal of facilitating a smooth transition process and selecting the best candidate to lead WRH. After an extensive nationwide search, the board selected Webb as the new President & CEO at a board meeting held on April 29. Dr. Steel will assist WRH leadership during this time of transition.

“We are grateful for Dr. Steel’s service and leadership as interim President & CEO. We appreciate his willingness to step in and lead WRH, and we are thankful for his dedication to the organization,” stated Randy Cross, Chairman of the WRH Board of Directors. “We look forward to Mr. Webb’s leadership and his ability to advance WRH into the future.”

Webb earned his Bachelor of Business Administration from East Texas Baptist University in Marshall, Texas and his Master of Health Service Administration from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. He is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE) and a member of the Arkansas Health Executive Forum.

White River Health (WRH) is an independent, not-for-profit healthcare system serving residents throughout North Central Arkansas. White River Health includes White River Medical Center in Batesville, Stone County Medical Center in Mountain View, outpatient facilities, primary care, and specialty physician office practices. WRH is a member of the Premier Alliance, the American Hospital Association, and the Arkansas Hospital Association and licensed by the Arkansas Department of Health.

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Posted 5/2/2025