Community
Aspen Valley Health Announces Dr. Richard Becker as New Chief Executive Officer
The Aspen Valley Health Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Richard Becker as Chief Executive Officer, effective January 26, 2026. Dr. Becker brings nearly three decades of healthcare leadership experience across complex health systems, physician groups and public health initiatives to this pivotal role at Aspen Valley Health.
Dr. Becker will be transitioning to Aspen from his current position as System Executive in Residence at Northwell Health, New York’s largest healthcare system.
“I have spent many years with my family enjoying the natural beauty of Aspen and the Roaring Fork Valley, and I am thrilled to give back to this community in a manner that advances healthcare services for all residents,” Dr. Becker said. “Aspen Valley Health’s commitment to providing comprehensive healthcare—ensuring that residents have access to the services and support they need to stay healthy where they live, work and play—reflects the future of healthcare. I look forward to working with the team at AVH and our community partners to continue building a model of healthcare excellence that serves as a national example.”
Dr. Becker’s selection follows an extensive national search process that attracted exceptional candidates both locally and from across the country. The Board of Directors and a special Search Committee evaluated finalists based on their strategic vision, leadership experience, commitment to community-based healthcare and alignment with AVH’s mission and vision.
“Dr. Becker’s diverse background spanning academic medical centers, safety net hospitals, physician groups, health insurance, healthcare technology and government uniquely position him to lead Aspen Valley Health into its next chapter,” said Dr. Melinda Nagle, Chair of the Aspen Valley Health Board of Directors. “His proven track record of transforming healthcare organizations while maintaining an unwavering commitment to value-based care and health equity aligns perfectly with our vision to foster our community as the healthiest in the nation. We are confident that Dr. Becker’s experience and passion will strengthen AVH’s position as a leader in rural healthcare delivery.”
John Sarpa, an AVH Board Member who led the Search Committee, emphasized what set Dr. Becker apart in an impressive field of candidates. “Throughout the search process, Dr. Becker demonstrated not only exceptional credentials and a remarkable breadth of experience, but also a genuine passion for community-based healthcare and a deep personal connection to this valley,” Sarpa said. “Dr. Becker is the right leader at the right time to guide AVH through the evolving healthcare landscape while staying true to our community-focused mission.”
Throughout his career, Dr. Becker has demonstrated expertise in healthcare leadership, value-based care implementation, physician group development and strategic and financial growth. In previous roles, Dr. Becker served as President and CEO of The Brooklyn Hospital Center; CEO of The George Washington University Hospital; President and CEO of Physician Affiliate Group of New York; and Deputy Secretary of Health for New York State during part of the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically at The Brooklyn Hospital Center (the oldest hospital in Brooklyn and an independent community hospital), he achieved significant financial sustainability, earned Joint Commission Top Hospital recognition, and successfully expanded the hospital’s outpatient network and community partnerships.
Dr. Becker earned his medical degree from the University of Virginia School of Medicine and holds an MBA from The George Washington University School of Business. He is board certified in anesthesiology and critical care medicine and practiced as an intensive care physician for the first half of his career. Dr. Becker will be joined in Aspen by his wife, Dr. Rachel N. Becker, a board-certified psychiatrist specializing in mood and anxiety disorders. The Beckers have three children: Olivia, a first-year medical student at Mount Sinai School of Medicine; Ben, a senior at Cornell University; and Hannah, a freshman at Northwestern University.
To ensure continuity of leadership and operations, Aspen Valley Health’s current CEO, Dave Ressler, will stay at the helm through the transition.
About Aspen Valley Health
Founded in 1891, Aspen Valley Health is a community-supported, not-for-profit health system serving Aspen and the Roaring Fork Valley. Recently rebranded from Aspen Valley Hospital to reflect its comprehensive approach to supporting the community’s health, Aspen Valley Health provides care through its critical access hospital, level III trauma center and network of providers, clinics and services. The health system is nationally recognized for quality, ranking in the top 95th percentile for inpatient experience, and offers services across 25 fields of medicine, with expanded expertise in orthopaedics and sports medicine through partnership with The Steadman Clinic. For more information, visit aspenvalleyhealth.org.
