Grace Li has been appointed the new CEO of On Lok in San Francisco. She assumed her new role on April 1.

"Grace will be a great leader," said Robert Edmondson, who served as CEO of On Lok for the past 10 years and will continue as an advisor until the end of June. "Her passion for our mission and her deep understanding of On Lok and its roots and goals make her an excellent choice to be our fourth CEO in 45 years. She will build on the compassionate, community-based philosophy that is the basis for our organization."

As CEO, Li is responsible for the overall management of each of the On Lok corporations and reports to the On Lok Board of Directors.

"At On Lok we believe in rewarding excellence, and Ms. Li has more than proven her strong leadership capabilities both internally, with strong skills in strategic management and administration, and externally, promoting relationships that provide for the continued success of On Lok in senior care," said board chair Wellman Tsang, MD. "This decision was not a fast or simple one. In fact, our internal vetting process was as rigorous as any external process would have been. In order to fill this important position, the board of directors employed a search committee, which thoroughly evaluated and defined the needs for this role, and the required skills and areas of expertise a candidate must possess. Following a 10-week process, we were fortunate to conclude that an internal candidate with a history at the organization possessed all of the skills required to excel in this position. We are confident that Ms. Li is the right choice to fill On Lok's highest position of leadership."

Li brings nearly 25 years of operations management experience in a broad range of health care settings to the position, as well as 15 years of executive leadership responsibility. She previously served as COO of On Lok Lifeways and provided strategic and operational direction for the On Lok Lifeways PACE centers across three counties, nearly doubling the size of the program during her tenure. Li joined On Lok in 2001, bringing expertise in overseeing multi-site complex systems and health care programs, orchestrating new facility openings, and managing the implementation of software applications.

"As we look back at our phenomenal first 45 years, we look forward to the next 45," stated Dr. Tsang. "With a strong new leader at the helm, we will continue to expand in order to improve the lives of more seniors throughout the Bay Area."