HERSHEY, Pa. — Steve Massini, chief executive officer of Penn State Health since 2019 and the first Penn State alumnus to lead the University’s health system, has announced he will retire effective Oct. 1, 2024.
“Steve is an incredibly talented executive and wonderful individual who has served Penn State Health with great distinction during his five-year tenure as CEO,” said Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi. “He has been a transformational leader, driving expansion of the health system’s clinical presence across central Pennsylvania and the development of innovative partnerships, including our continued collaboration with Highmark Health.”
Massini joined Penn State Health in 2015, originally serving as chief financial officer for Hershey Medical Center. In 2016, he was promoted to executive vice president, chief financial officer and chief administrative officer of Penn State Health before eventually being named CEO.
He was a key architect of the health system’s partnership with Highmark, announced in December 2017, which led to a shared $1 billion investment in the growth of Penn State Health, the development of innovative insurance products, and a $25 million investment in research at Penn State.
Among the highlights of Massini’s tenure is the continued development of Penn State Health into a broad, regional university health system. The system’s strategy, guided in part by the “10-20-30 rule,” strives to bring Penn State Health clinical services closer to where patients live and work — within 10 minutes of primary care services, within 20 minutes of specialty care services, and within 30 minutes of a hospital setting.
To deliver on this promise, Massini oversaw Penn State Health’s development of two new hospitals, Hampden Medical Center (Cumberland County, Pennsylvania) and Lancaster Medical Center (Lancaster County, Pennsylvania). Hampden Medical Center opened in October 2021, while Lancaster Medical Center opened a year later in October 2022. Massini also led the acquisition of Camp Hill-based Holy Spirit Medical Center from Geisinger in November 2020, and in 2023, the system assumed 100% ownership of the Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute following the dissolution of a joint venture with UPMC.
Massini played an integral role in numerous key practice acquisitions and integrations that expanded Penn State Health’s clinical services across the region, including Berks Cardiology, Andrews Patel Hematology/Oncology, and the Lancaster-based Physicians Alliance, LTD. In addition, Massini oversaw the development of 18 new Penn State Health Medical Group practices in Berks, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster and York counties to enhance availability of Penn State Health primary and specialty care services.
At the heart of the system’s strategy was integrating its flagship university hospital, the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, to ensure patients have continued access to complex care services within the region, enabling them to stay close to home for the most serious illness and injury.
“Steve has provided calm and steady leadership during a period of great change in the health care landscape of Pennsylvania and the industry overall,” said Penn State Health Board Chair and Penn State Emeritus Trustee Keith Masser. “In the face of challenges ranging from the COVID-19 pandemic to increased market consolidation, he always stayed focused on meeting the needs of the community. His drive to support patients to have more convenient and expanded access to the world-class care of Penn State Health will have a long and lasting impact. As we look toward the future, the University and Penn State Health are well-positioned for success.”
Massini has served on numerous community and professional boards during his tenure as CEO, including the United Way of the Capital Region, Hospice of Central PA, Harrisburg Regional Chamber and CREDC, and the Hospital and Health System Association of Pennsylvania (HAP).
“I am incredibly grateful and blessed to have had the opportunity to serve Penn State Health and Penn State University, especially in my role as CEO,” Massini said. “Over 40 years ago when I met my wife at the first day of orientation at the Penn State DuBois campus, I could never have imagined the opportunities — both professionally and personally — that being part of the Penn State family would provide.”
He and his wife, Shari, intend to spend much of his retirement sharing more time with family, including entertaining their four grandchildren. An avid fisherman and passionate Penn State fan, he also plans to spend time on the waters off Sea Isle City, New Jersey, and cheering on the Nittany Lions at Penn State football games.
In the coming weeks, President Bendapudi will announce plans and next steps for the leadership transition.