Dr. Dustin Riccio, a health care executive from Rochester, New York, who grew up in New Jersey, has been named as the new CEO of St. Joseph’s Health, its board announced Friday.
Riccio, who will succeed the retiring Kevin Slavin, will begin his new role Jan. 8, 2024.
Riccio, who was selected after a nationwide search, brings to the position over 20 years of diverse leadership experience in the health care industry, including direct patient care as a board-certified emergency medicine physician since 2008.
For the past 15 years, Riccio has been a part of Rochester Regional Health, serving in various leadership and clinical capacities, including president and chief operating officer of Unity Hospital and Unity Specialty Hospital, as well as president of the eastern region of Rochester Regional Health.
He also served as president of the medical staff for Unity Health System and chair of the emergency department, prior to its merger with Rochester General Hospital in 2014.
Wilfredo Fernandez, chair of the St. Joseph’s Health board of trustees, said Riccio rose to the top of the group of candidates.
“Among the competitive field of outstanding candidates, Dr. Riccio was a standout,” Fernandez said. “His dynamic leadership style paired with a wealth of experience and deep commitment to the highest quality of care is unmatched. We are so happy to have him joining the St. Joseph’s family.”
Riccio said he was humbled to be selected.
“It is a true honor to be selected as the next leader of St. Joseph’s Health,” he said. “It is a great institution with a proud history of excellence.
“I am sincerely looking forward to getting to know the entire organization and the community. I plan to hit the ground running, and I am excited about future opportunities to bring even more services to the region, so that our community members will always have access to the best care locally.”
Riccio said he, his wife and two sons are eager to become an integral part of the community.
About St. Joseph’s Health
Founded in 1867 by the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth, St. Joseph’s Health is a world-class hospital and health care network supported by more than 5,000 leading and renowned physicians, nurses and care teams. From its humble beginnings, St. Joseph’s Health has become one of the premier health systems in the state. The organization continues to evolve as the leading health resource in the community, the largest employer in Passaic County and one of the largest providers of charity care in New Jersey.
“I’m thrilled to return to New Jersey and to join St. Joseph’s Health as its president and CEO,” he said. “I believe in organizations that continually invest in their people and their communities and I can think of no better example than St. Joseph’s.”
Slavin, who served with distinction for eight years, applauded the announcement.
“I’m excited for the next chapter at St. Joseph’s Health as I hand the reins to an incredible leader and person in Dustin Riccio,” he said. “I have truly been blessed and humbled to work in and lead such a wonderful organization for the past eight years, with so many outstanding caregivers and dedicated team members.”
Riccio holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Bucknell University, a Master of Biomedical Science from the University of South Carolina, and an MBA from the University of Rochester – Simon Business School.
He received his medical degree from Upstate Medical University, where he also served as chief resident, and is a diplomate of the American Board of Emergency Medicine.
