Leadership transition at Risant Health 

Washington, D.C. — Kaiser Permanente announced that Jaewon Ryu, chief executive officer of Risant Health, has decided to step down from the role, following a personal decision to focus on his family. Dale Maxwell, former president and chief executive officer of Presbyterian Healthcare Services, will serve as interim chief executive officer while the Risant Health board conducts a national search.

"Jaewon has been instrumental in turning the vision for Risant Health into reality," said Greg Adams, chair and chief executive officer of Kaiser Permanente and chair of the board of Risant Health. "He built an exceptional leadership team, established the organization's operating model, and positioned Risant Health to help more communities benefit from value-based care. The progress we've already seen — from deploying the platform across participating health systems to early improvements in clinical and operational performance — reflects both his leadership and the strength of this model. We are deeply grateful for his partnership and leadership and wish Jaewon and his family all the best in this next chapter."

As Risant Health's inaugural CEO, Ryu helped establish the organization's operating model, recruit its leadership team, and build the capabilities needed to support a national platform dedicated to expanding access to high-quality, value-based care.

During his tenure, Risant Health welcomed Geisinger and Cone Health into the organization, deployed its value-based care platform across participating health systems, and began delivering measurable clinical and operational improvements. Early results include shorter hospital stays, lower readmission rates for patients with conditions such as stroke and heart attack, more appropriate specialty referrals through evidence-based care pathways, and the expansion of shared capabilities designed to improve quality, affordability, and the patient experience."Kaiser Permanente had the courage to pursue a bold vision for expanding value-based care, and it has been the privilege of my career to help bring that vision to life," said Ryu. "Together, we have built a strong foundation, welcomed outstanding health systems into the Risant Health family, and demonstrated what's possible when organizations come together around a shared commitment to improving quality, affordability, and the patient experience. I remain deeply committed to this mission and have every confidence that Risant Health's greatest impact is still ahead."

Maxwell brings more than 24 years of executive leadership experience at Presbyterian Healthcare Services, New Mexico's largest nonprofit integrated health system, where he served as president and chief executive officer from 2016 until his retirement in 2024. He will provide experienced, steady leadership during the transition.

"This leadership transition reflects thoughtful planning, not a change in strategy," Adams said. "Kaiser Permanente and Risant Health will continue to advance their mission to help leading community-based health systems deliver high-quality, value-based care. We are confident in the organization's leadership, its momentum, and its future."

About Risant Health

Risant Health is a nonprofit organization created by Kaiser Permanente to expand and accelerate the adoption of value-based care by partnering with leading community-based health systems. By deploying proven capabilities, sharing best practices, and preserving the strengths of local health systems, Risant Health seeks to improve quality, affordability, and the patient experience for more communities across the country.