Derek Drake, Appointed President of Mercy Hospital of Buffalo

Catholic Health has named Derek Drake, DNP, MBA, RN, FACHE, as President of Mercy Hospital of Buffalo. He brings over 20 years of healthcare leadership...

July 21, 2025

Home
Placements
Derek Drake, Appointed President of Mercy Hospital of Buffalo

Catholic Health has named Derek Drake, DNP, MBA, RN, FACHE, as President of Mercy Hospital of Buffalo. He brings over 20 years of healthcare leadership experience, with expertise in clinical operations, strategic planning, and organizational growth.

Drake has held senior leadership roles including Director of Emergency and Trauma Services at Renown Health and Chief Nursing Officer at St. Francis Medical Center. Most recently, he served as CEO of Orange County Global Medical Center in Santa Ana, California.

As President, Drake will lead efforts to advance clinical excellence, employee engagement, and strategic initiatives across Mercy Hospital and the Catholic Health system.

WittKieffer’s Michelle Johnson and Adriane Willig led this search.

Read the full announcement.

Related Placements

CONNECT WITH US

We partner with you to advance your mission by developing impactful leadership through executive search, leadership advisory, and interim leadership solutions.

Derek Drake, Appointed President of Mercy Hospital of Buffalo

Related Placements

Christine Frederick Appointed CEO of The Lord’s Place

Sharon “Jamila” Buckner, MS, Appointed Vice Chancellor of Human Resources at Peralta Community College District

Dr. Tania (Tani) Castañeda Appointed VP for Enrollment Management and Dean of Admission at Carnegie Mellon University

YMCA of the USA Appoints Greg Waibel as Chief Operating Officer

Terri Couts, RN, Appointed Chief Digital Information Officer at Sharp HealthCare

Phoenix Children’s Appoints John R. Nickens IV as President & Chief Executive Officer

Kelly Morse Nowicki Appointed Executive Vice President of Operations and COO at Gillette Children’s

Andrew Phillip Payne, Ph.D., Appointed Founding Dean of the School of Architecture at Florida Southern College

Rishi Singh, MD, Appointed Chair of Ophthalmology at Mass General Brigham

LMH Health Appoints Dr. Shelly Kortkamp as President & CEO

Christine Frederick Appointed CEO of The Lord’s Place

Sharon “Jamila” Buckner, MS, Appointed Vice Chancellor of Human Resources at Peralta Community College District

Dr. Tania (Tani) Castañeda Appointed VP for Enrollment Management and Dean of Admission at Carnegie Mellon University

YMCA of the USA Appoints Greg Waibel as Chief Operating Officer

Terri Couts, RN, Appointed Chief Digital Information Officer at Sharp HealthCare

Phoenix Children’s Appoints John R. Nickens IV as President & Chief Executive Officer

Kelly Morse Nowicki Appointed Executive Vice President of Operations and COO at Gillette Children’s

Andrew Phillip Payne, Ph.D., Appointed Founding Dean of the School of Architecture at Florida Southern College

Rishi Singh, MD, Appointed Chair of Ophthalmology at Mass General Brigham

LMH Health Appoints Dr. Shelly Kortkamp as President & CEO

Christine Frederick Appointed CEO of The Lord’s Place

Sharon “Jamila” Buckner, MS, Appointed Vice Chancellor of Human Resources at Peralta Community College District

Dr. Tania (Tani) Castañeda Appointed VP for Enrollment Management and Dean of Admission at Carnegie Mellon University

CONNECT WITH US