NJ native to take reins as St. Joseph’s president, CEO

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After a nationwide search, St. Joseph’s Health board of trustees has appointed Dr. Dustin Riccio as its next president and chief executive officer, effective Jan. 8, 2024. 

Riccio will succeed Kevin Slavin, who announced in January that he would retire at the end of the year after a 42-year career. 

Bringing more than 20 years of leadership experience in the health care industry to the role, Riccio will join from Rochester Regional Health in Rochester, N.Y., where he worked for 15 years, according to St. Joseph’s. 

While at Rochester Regional, Riccio served in various leadership and clinical positions, including president and chief operating officer of Unity Hospital and Unity Specialty Hospital, as well as president of the Eastern Region of Rochester Regional Health. He also served as president of the medical staff for Unity Health System and chair of the Emergency Department, before its merger with Rochester General Hospital in 2014. 

Riccio has also practiced as board-certified emergency medicine physician since 2008. 

A New Jersey native, Riccio said that it was a “true honor” to be chosen to lead St. Joseph’s and that he was thrilled to return to his home state. 

“Among the competitive field of outstanding candidates, Dr. Riccio was a standout,” Wilfredo Fernandez, chair of St. Joseph’s board of trustees, said in a statement. “His dynamic leadership style paired with a wealth of experience and deep commitment to the highest quality of care is unmatched.” 

Riccio earned his bachelor’s degree in biology from Bucknell University, a master’s of biomedical science from the University of South Carolina and an MBA from the University of Rochester – Simon Business School. He earned his medical degree from Upstate Medical University, where he also served as chief resident, and is a diplomate of the American Board of Emergency Medicine. 

“I’m excited for the next chapter at St. Joseph’s Health as I hand the reins to an incredible leader and person in Dustin Riccio,” Slavin said. “I have truly been blessed and humbled to work in and lead such a wonderful organization for the past 8 years, with so many outstanding caregivers and dedicated team members.” 

In 2015, Slavin succeeded William McDonald as the head of the health care system, where he previously was executive vice president before moving on to East Orange General Hospital to serve as CEO in March 2005. 

“Kevin has played an instrumental role in our continued success, expanding care throughout the region, leading us through the pandemic and sustaining our 155 year mission to the community,” Fernandez said in Slavin’s retirement announcement. “We are privileged to have worked with Kevin and are enormously grateful to him for his many contributions.”

Founded in 1867, St. Joseph’s Health is the largest employer in Passaic County, with more than 5,000 physicians, nurses and care teams.