Robert Baxter has been named the new president and CEO of MercyOne, effective June 22. Baxter succeeds Bob Ritz, who retired in January after nearly 10 years leading the health system.

Interim President and CEO Michael Taylor will remain in the role through July 1 to ensure a smooth transition.

Baxter brings more than 30 years of health care experience, most recently serving as president of the Toledo market for Bon Secours Mercy Health, the largest health care system in Ohio. There, he created strategies to improve trauma performance, increase retention and recruitment, regionalize and negotiate new joint ventures and led Mercy Health to a CMS Five-Star rating, a news release said.

In his new position, Baxter will be responsible for setting strategic direction, advancing the mission and ensuring operational excellence across MercyOne. The organization employs more than 20,000 people and is comprised of more than 230 clinics, medical centers, hospitals and care locations throughout the state of Iowa and beyond.

“Bob brings the right combination of leadership and operational expertise, which will allow us to build on the progress already underway while driving toward our goals for growth and long-term sustainability in our MercyOne communities,” Rob Casalou, executive vice president and associate chief operating officer for Trinity Health, said in a prepared statement.