Roxanna Gapstur: Leading WellSpan Health with a Focus on People and Innovation
Roxanna Gapstur, Ph.D., R.N., serves as the President and CEO of WellSpan Health, a large integrated health system serving Pennsylvania and northern Maryland. Celebrated for her leadership, Gapstur is dedicated to inspiring the next generation of women in science and medicine and is recognized for her commitment to a patient-centered, innovative approach to healthcare.
A Leadership Rooted in Nursing and Systems Thinking
Gapstur’s leadership philosophy centers around “passion, people and purpose.” Her background as a registered nurse significantly informs her approach, fostering a “systems thinking” mindset and a collaborative team approach. As she explains, this foundation allows her to understand healthcare challenges from multiple perspectives.
“You learn how to be a really great systems thinker and how to approach at things from a team approach,” Gapstur stated.
Navigating Challenges and Prioritizing Team Support
Gapstur’s leadership was particularly crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic. Demonstrating her continued commitment to direct patient care, she utilized her nursing credentials to administer immunizations. She prioritizes supporting the WellSpan Health team of 23,000 employees, recognizing them as the core of the organization’s success.
“Our team members — all 23,000 people — are the face of our organization and those are people our patients interact with, and so that work is the most important work that gets done in our organization,” Gapstur said.
Building Trust and Regional Leadership
Joe Crosswhite, board chair of WellSpan Health, expressed confidence in Gapstur’s leadership, stating, “We know we’re in good hands with her at the helm.” Hilda Shirk, another board chair at WellSpan Health, highlighted Gapstur’s qualities of focus, hard work, ability, and willingness to accept risks.
Gapstur’s ability to build trust and clearly communicate the rationale behind decisions has been instrumental in WellSpan Health’s success. Shirk noted that WellSpan was “ahead of the game regionally because of her ability to do that.”
Innovation and a Human-Centered Approach
With over two decades of leadership experience, Gapstur positions WellSpan Health as a national model by solving operational challenges with a human-centered approach. This includes implementing innovative solutions, such as an artificial intelligence-powered kitchen that prepares hundreds of fresh, on-demand meals around the clock.
Recognition and Future Outlook
Gapstur’s impact extends beyond WellSpan Health. Her commitment to inspiring future female leaders has earned her recognition as the STEM Pillar recipient for the 2026 Girl Scouts Women of Distinction Awards. Gapstur views leadership as an “inward journey to outwardly serve other people,” a philosophy that continues to guide her work and shape the future of WellSpan Health.