Virginia Mason Franciscan Health Appoints Chad Melton as Puget Sound Market President

June 3, 2026

Virginia Mason Franciscan Health (VMFH) is pleased to announce the appointment of Chad Melton as President of the Puget Sound Market. In this role, Melton will provide direct oversight for VMFH's eight hospitals and medical centers and nearly 18,000 team members across the region. 

“Chad is a proven leader who has already been instrumental in driving significant improvements across VMFH and our Puget Sound Market,” said Julie Manas, President of Virginia Mason Franciscan Health and the Northwest Region of CommonSpirit Health. “His commitment to quality, financial stewardship, and fostering a positive culture aligns with our values and our vision for the future.”

Prior to this appointment, Melton served as Market President in an interim capacity while also leading St. Michael Medical Center as hospital president. During his time as interim Market President, Melton championed several key initiatives that resulted in significant improvements across VMFH:

• The system consistently achieved top rankings for clinical excellence and quality patient care from organizations such as The Leapfrog Group, U.S. News & World Report, Newsweek, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

• Several patient experience improvements advanced, including a significant reduction in systemwide Length of Stay (particularly for medically unnecessary days). The number of patients who left VMFH emergency departments without being seen was also reduced.

• VMFH launched Washington state’s first combined Emergency Department and Urgent Care facility, demonstrating innovative approaches to care delivery. A second site quickly followed in Port Orchard, Wash. 

As President of St. Michael Medical Center since 2021, Melton significantly improved operational performance, patient experience, and employee engagement. An advocate for patient care and operational efficiency, he played a crucial role in the planning and construction of a major hospital expansion project delivering 74 additional hospital beds to the growing Kitsap County community.  

“I am honored and excited to officially step into the role of Puget Sound Market President,” said Chad Melton. “I am proud of the progress we’ve made as a team over the past several years and eager to continue our collective work to enhance the health and well being of the communities we serve.” 

Before joining VMFH and CommonSpirit Health, Melton held leadership roles at LifePoint Health, including CEO of Fauquier Health and Wythe County Community Hospital. He also held leadership positions with LHP Hospital Group (now Ardent Health Services) and began his health care career at Triad Hospitals.

Melton holds a Master of Health Care Administration from Texas State University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Care Administration from Southwest Texas State University. He is actively involved in the community, serving on several boards including the Kitsap County Economic Development Alliance and the Washington Hospital Services Board.

Other VMFH leadership appointments include the announcement of Christopher Bredeson as the new President of Virginia Mason Medical Center (VMMC), effective June 29, 2026. Bredeson comes to VMFH from EvergreenHealth where he served as Chief Operating and Strategy Officer, leading the development and execution of their growth strategy for the past 7 years. Prior, Bredeson was President and Chief Operating Officer of MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital.

More information on the VMFH leadership team can be found here.

Virginia Mason Franciscan Health (VMFH) is an integrated health system serving the Puget Sound region, including 10 hospitals and 300 care sites. Founded in 1891, VMFH embraces its long history of caring for the most vulnerable, especially the poor and underserved, and meeting the evolving health care needs of the vibrant, diverse communities it serves. VMFH is a proud home to the Bailey-Boushay House, the first skilled nursing and outpatient chronic care management program in the United States designed specifically to meet the needs of people with HIV/AIDS, and the Benaroya Research Institute, an internationally recognized institution for autoimmune disease research. VMFH is part of CommonSpirit Health, one of the nation’s largest health systems, dedicated to advancing health for all people.