CHILLICOTHE, OH (Oct. 1, 2026) – As Adena Health continues to grow and evolve as a regional health system, its governance structure is evolving with it.
Following unanimous approval by Adena's Board of Trustees and corporate member churches, Adena Health will establish a new system-level Board of Directors, with five local advisory boards operating under its oversight. The new structure is designed to strengthen system-level governance, maintain local community perspectives, and position Adena for continued growth and service to the communities it has served for more than 130 years.
The new structure will include:
- A new system-level Board of Directors responsible for strategic oversight and governance of Adena Health as a whole.
- Five local advisory boards representing Adena's hospitals, including the existing boards for Adena Fayette Medical Center, Adena Greenfield Medical Center and Adena Pike Medical Center, as well as the adding the existing board for Adena Fairfield Medical Center and a newly created board for Adena Regional Medical Center.
“As a Board of Trustees, one of our most important responsibilities is making sure Adena has the governance structure it needs to fulfill its mission and serve our communities for generations to come,” said Bob French, Adena Board of Trustees Chair. “The changes we are making recognize how much Adena has changed and grown while building on the strong foundation that has served the organization for more than a century. We believe this structure will provide the clarity and accountability needed to guide Adena responsibly in the years ahead.”
The system-level Board of Directors will have up to 17 members and will include representation from Adena's corporate member churches, as well as at-large members selected to provide the experience and expertise needed to guide a growing health system. Two representatives from Adena Fairfield Medical Center will also join the system-level board now as part of Adena's recent acquisition of Fairfield Medical Center.
The new structure reflects the significant evolution of Adena since its current Board of Trustees was established. What began as a single hospital has grown into a regional rural health system serving 11 counties with five hospitals and an expanding network of healthcare services and locations.
“As Adena has grown, it has become increasingly important that our governance structure grow with us,” said Kathi Edrington, Adena president and CEO. “This new structure gives us the ability to think and act more strategically as one health system while continuing to value the local perspectives and relationships that have always been important to Adena. Most importantly, it positions us to continue serving our communities well into the future.”
A collaborative path forward
Adena's corporate member churches have been part of the health system's governance and mission since its founding
Representatives from Adena's corporate member churches worked alongside Adena leadership and board representatives throughout the process, reviewing and discussing changes to the organization's governing documents, board structure, and responsibilities.
Adena's corporate member churches are:
- First Presbyterian Church of Chillicothe
- Orchard Hill United Church of Christ
- Our Lady, Queen of the Apostles Church
- St. Paul's Episcopal Church
- Tabernacle Baptist Church
- Trinity United Methodist Church
- Walnut Street United Methodist Church
The new governance model maintains corporate member church representation while creating clearer roles and responsibilities for the system's governance and local advisory boards.
“This new structure represents a recommitment between Adena and its corporate member churches,” said Rev. Dr. Jason Link, First Presbyterian Church of Chillicothe. “The process has been collaborative, with both Adena and the corporate member churches recognizing the value each brings to the relationship. We believe this structure gives us an opportunity to continue working together, with the churches continuing to support Adena and share its story with our congregations and the broader community.”
Built for the future
The new system-level Board of Directors will have a stronger strategic focus, with committees and governance practices designed around the needs of a modern health system. Adena has also worked with the Governance Institute to assess board competencies and identify the experience and expertise needed as the organization moves forward.
For patients and communities, the goal is straightforward: a governance structure that helps Adena remain focused on providing trusted high-quality, accessible care while giving the health system the flexibility and strategic focus needed to respond to a changing healthcare environment.
The new board governance structure is targeted to begin operating January 1, 2027.