Hillcrest HealthCare System names next president and CEO to succeed retiring Gross

TULSA, Okla. (June 23, 2025) – Hillcrest, a regional leader in providing high-quality
healthcare services to communities across eastern and northeastern Oklahoma, today
announced that Jeff Johnston has been named president and chief executive officer,
effective July 14.
Johnston will oversee Hillcrest’s eight hospitals and 82 sites of care. He brings 30 years
of executive experience in multi-state health systems as well as academic medical
centers and a national managed care organization.
He most recently served as president & CEO of Home State Health, a subsidiary of
Centene Corporation, with more than 300,000 Medicaid managed care members.
Johnston began his career at The MetroHealth System in Cleveland, Ohio, prior to
moving to Oklahoma and Missouri where he held executive leadership roles for multiple
Mercy Health facilities. He begins his new position following the previously announced
retirement of current Hillcrest President Kevin Gross.
“I’m pleased to welcome Jeff to our community and into this role, as Hillcrest enters a
new chapter in our mission to provide compassionate, high-quality care across the
region,” said Gross. “His expertise will be critical in continuing our work to build a
consumer-centered healthcare ecosystem that provides the best care possible at the
most convenient time and place for those we serve.
Johnston is a graduate of Southern Nazarene University and earned a master’s in
hospital and health administration and an MBA from Xavier University.
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About Hillcrest HealthCare System
In 1918, Hillcrest opened its doors to provide hope, health and healing to our community
in a small hospital located in the heart of the city. Today, Hillcrest HealthCare System
(HHS) is comprised of eight hospitals including Hillcrest Medical Center, Hillcrest
Hospital South and Tulsa Spine & Specialty Hospital in Tulsa, as well as five regional
hospitals, Hillcrest Hospital Claremore, Hillcrest Hospital Cushing, Hillcrest Hospital
Henryetta, Hillcrest Hospital Pryor and Bailey Medical Center in Owasso. Hillcrest
HealthCare System also provides comprehensive primary and specialty care services
through Utica Park Clinic and Oklahoma Heart Institute. To learn more,
visit hillcrest.com.