The Board of Trustees of Liberty Hospital has named Raghu Adiga, MD, as President and Chief Executive Officer, a role in which Dr. Adiga has served in an interim capacity since the June retirement of long-time leader David Feess.

*Raghu Adiga, MD - President and Chief Executive Officer*

Dr. Adiga will direct the growth of the premier health system that today includes 15 primary and specialty care clinics, as well as affiliations with MU Health Care, Saint Luke's Cancer Institute and Children's Mercy Hospital. Also, he will oversee the organization's 1,700 employees, including an experienced executive leadership team.

"We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Adiga into this role," Dennis Carter, chairperson of the Liberty Hospital Board of Trustees, said. "His exemplary leadership and expertise position him well to carry forward the health system's vision and approach to expanding services to benefit the health and well-being of those living in and around the Northland.

"Dr. Adiga joined Liberty Hospital in 2004 and began serving in an administrative capacity in 2016. He was named Chief Medical Officer in 2018. As one of the region's leading infectious disease specialists, Dr. Adiga was praised for his hospital and community leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic. He provided valuable expertise and guidance to the hospital as well as numerous Northland and Kansas City organizations.

In 2021 Dr. Adiga was awarded the prestigious William F. Yates Medallion for Distinguished Service from William Jewell College. In 2020 he was named as a Fellow of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, the highest honor awarded to specialists in his field. Since 2021 Dr. Adiga has been recognized by the Kansas City Business Journal as one of the "20 Health Care Professionals to Know" and by Ingram's magazine as a "Hero in Healthcare."

KPGZ News - Jim Dickerson contributed to this story