Michael D. Barber, MHA, named Chief Executive Officer of Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health

Michael D. Barber, MHA, has been named chief executive officer of Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health (LG Health), after assuming the role of interim CEO last year. He became LG Health's chief operating officer in 2023 following a 27-year tenure on the senior leadership team at Penn Medicine’s Chester County Hospital (CCH).

“Throughout Michael's long career at Penn Medicine, he has distinguished himself as a skillful consensus-builder who drives operational excellence and successful execution of important organizational change,” said Michele Volpe, COO of University of Pennsylvania Health System (UPHS). “In an era of transformative change for health care, he brings both the strategic vision and operational expertise to ensure that LG Health continues to lead and care for the Lancaster County community long into the future.”

Barber will provide executive leadership of LG Health’s facilities, which include Lancaster General Hospital and Women & Babies Hospital, the Downtown & Suburban outpatient pavilions, an array of additional outpatient and urgent care services, and a network of more than 500 primary and specialty care physicians operating across more than 40 offices in Lancaster, Lebanon, and Chester counties. LG Health has become an epicenter for advanced care through its integration with other Penn Medicine facilities, offering the most cutting-edge treatments—including proton therapy and CAR T cell therapy for cancer at the Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Institute—to patients close to home.

“Among Michael's greatest leadership strengths is his ability to bring people together around a common purpose and shared goals,” said UPHS CEO Kevin B. Mahoney. “He is well-respected for his steady, thoughtful leadership and approachable nature. As a receptive listener, and through his engagement with community and business leaders, he is strengthening partnerships to continue LG Health’s longtime commitment to improve the health and well-being of people in Lancaster County and beyond.”

A storied Penn Medicine career

Previously, as CCH’s Chief Operating Officer, Barber led the largest expansion in the hospital's history, a $290 million patient tower that included nearly 100 new private rooms and expanded surgical and cardiovascular services. He was also instrumental in developing CCH's 72-bed Lasko Tower, enhancing the hospital's cardiology, maternity and orthopaedic services.

Barber began his Penn Medicine career as CCH’s Senior Vice President of Human Resources, where he made important contributions to both supporting employees and implementing a new patient care delivery model.

Barber holds a Master of Health Administration from Saint Joseph’s University and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University. He is a board member of the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, and the Economic Development Company of Lancaster County. He also serves on the boards of Lancaster Behavioral Health Hospital and Lancaster Rehabilitation Hospital.