Dr. Lydia Watson has been named the new president and chief executive officer of MyMichigan Health in Midland. Her first day in this new position will be December 1st. The health system’s board of directors announced the appointment on Wed, Sept. 21st.
Watson will succeed Greg Rogers, a long-time administrator, who served as the president and CEO since the death of Diane Postler-Slattery in a plane crash in March with her husband, Don. She had been in that position since 2013. Rogers will retire after he serves in an advisory role to Watson in December.
Rogers says, “Lydia is a well-respected and trusted leader in the industry and here at home. She has been instrumental in guiding our system through the pandemic, is a steadfast advocate for quality care and patient, employee and physician satisfaction, and accomplished in establishing and maintaining cultures of excellence.”
Watson is currently the senior vice-president and chief medical officer for MyMichigan Health. Prior to joining the administrative staff at MyMichigan in 2013, Watson worked as a practicing obstetrician-gynecologist at the Medical Center in Midland. Watson earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees from Wayne State University in Detroit. While pursuing her degrees, she served in the Army National Guard 207th EVAC Hospital. She was honorably discharged as a captain in 1992.
Watson has been recognized for her efforts in the Midland community and the Great Lakes Bay Region. She received the Midland Area Chamber of Commerce Athena Award and the 2020 YMCA Woman of the Year in Health Care Award.
![]()
“While MyMichigan Health has experienced much change over the past six months following the unexpected passing of Diane Postler-Slattery and her husband, Don, what hasn’t changed is the commitment and care provided to patients,” says Jenee Velasquez, board chair, MyMichigan Health. “The leadership and direction provided by Greg, Dr. Watson and the entire leadership team has been nothing short of exceptional. Dr. Watson’s commitment to the health of our communities combined with her long-time leadership and respect for all those with whom she works will continue to strengthen this beloved health care system for generations to come.”
MyMichigan Health provides care in 25 counties in central and northern lower Michigan and the eastern Upper Peninsula.
Enjoy this story?
Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.