Barry R. Freedman, President and CEO of Einstein Healthcare Network, has announced his plans to retire. After 18 years at Einstein and nearly 50 years in the healthcare field, Freedman will officially retire on December 31, 2020.

Arriving at Einstein in 2003, Freedman oversaw the expansion of the world renowned rehabilitation center, MossRehab; the concept, construction and successful operationalization of Einstein Medical Center Montgomery, which at the time was the first newly constructed hospital built in Pennsylvania in more than a decade; the significant expansion of Einstein’s outpatient centers, specifically committing to services to care for those most in need; the celebration of  Einstein’s 150th anniversary as a system, culminating with the largest fundraising campaign in the organization’s history; and a continued pursuit of our merger with Jefferson Health to enhance our ability to continue providing high quality care to vulnerable communities.

“We thank Barry for his tireless efforts and strategic vision over the past two decades,” said Lawrence S. Reichlin, Chairman of the Board of Trustees and the Board of Overseers for Einstein Healthcare Network. “His leadership has been essential to Einstein realizing its mission and vision to provide high-quality care to the communities most in need.”

The Einstein Healthcare Network Board of Trustees has appointed Ken Levitan as Interim Chief Executive Officer. Levitan has worked at Einstein for more than 13 years, most recently, serving as the Network’s Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer and as the lead of the Incident Command Center during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ken has proven himself to be an effective and thoughtful leader and will work with Freedman over the next six months to ensure a smooth leadership transition.

“We have much to be proud of over the last 18 years and what I am the most proud of is that we, our outstanding clinicians, administration and employees live our mission and carry out our responsibility to provide excellent healthcare to anyone who walks through our door,” said Freedman ‘The culture of Einstein is unique, has been a blessing, and I have been so honored to have been a part of it.”

Post retirement, Freedman will continue to work with the Board of Trustees and leadership on select initiatives for the Network.