UNC Health Rex President to Step Down, Riggs to Serve as Interim
Rex known as top hospital in North Carolina for safety and care
RALEIGH, N.C. – Dec. 12, 2023 – Ernie Bovio, president of UNC Health Rex for the past 5 years, is stepping down to pursue another opportunity. Chief operating officer Kirsten Riggs will serve as interim president until a successor is named.
Bovio is leaving to become the President of Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center and Coastal Market in the Wilmington, N.C. region. His last day at UNC Health Rex is Jan. 7.
“I’d like to thank Ernie for his leadership at Rex, which is widely recognized as one of the top hospitals in North Carolina,” said Dr. Wesley Burks, CEO of UNC Health. “His success at Rex included leading the organization through the pandemic, overseeing significant growth, and unifying operations with UNC Health Johnston. We know that Rex’s success will continue under Kirsten’s direction.”
During Bovio’s tenure, UNC Health Rex continued to expand to keep up with increasing demand in one of the state’s fastest-growing regions. The organization opened a new, 50-bed community hospital in Holly Springs and a new Cancer Center across the street from its main Raleigh campus. Rex also continued to receive numerous accolades, including top “A” grades for patient safety and care from the Leapfrog Group. Rex is the only hospital in North Carolina, and one of only 18 nationwide, to receive straight A’s since Leapfrog began its hospital safety report cards in 2012.
“I’m incredibly proud of the work Rex physicians and teammates do every day to care for all of our patients,” Bovio said. “I take great comfort in knowing we have an excellent leadership team that will continue to guide Rex into the future.”
Riggs joined Rex in 1998 and has held prior leadership roles in cardiology, surgical services and ambulatory administration. She serves on the board of Alliance Medical Ministry in Raleigh and the North Carolina Heart & Vascular Research Board. She’s also on the boards of Rex Health Ventures and Raleigh Orthopaedic Surgery Center. She has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from East Carolina University and an MHA from Pfeiffer University.
“It has been a pleasure working with Ernie and we wish him well,” said Dr. Ann Collins, a Raleigh OB-GYN who serves as chair of Rex’s board. “We will begin a search for his replacement, and thank Kirsten for her leadership and commitment to our patients.”
About UNC Health
UNC Health is a state entity and an affiliated enterprise of the University of North Carolina system, comprised of 15 hospitals, including UNC Health Rex in Raleigh and Holly Springs, 19 hospital campuses and more than 900 clinics along with the clinical patient care programs of the UNC School of Medicine (SOM). It exists to improve the health and well-being of North Carolinians and others we serve and to further the teaching mission of the University of North Carolina SOM. UNC Health provided more than $522 million in charity care during the last five years. Our hospitals have received numerous awards and recognition for quality care, patient safety and the overall patient experience. For more information, please visit unchealth.org.
