Rosecrance Health Network CEO Phil Eaton Announces Retirement Transition Plan

Rosecrance Health Network announced today that effective February 2, David Gomel, Ph.D., has been named President and Chief Operating Officer. The appointment is the first step in the transition to retirement for current Rosecrance President/CEO, Philip Eaton.

Eaton began his career with Rosecrance as a social worker in 1971, and has served as the agency’s leader since 1982. While Dr. Gomel will be responsible for Rosecrance operations, Eaton will remain as CEO for the coming months during the transition. It is anticipated that Dr. Gomel will take over full responsibility of Rosecrance Health Network and report directly to its board of directors beginning in January 2021.

“The members of the Rosecrance board of directors – current and former – will be forever grateful to Phil Eaton for his leadership, vision, and service,” said Dan Pecora, chair of the Rosecrance Health Center Board of Directors. “Without his leadership, there is no question that thousands of individuals seeking treatment for substance use or mental health disorders would not have been served.”

Dave Gomel began working at Rosecrance in 1993 as a counselor in adult substance abuse treatment. He has served in many roles since then, from supervisor at the former Alpine Campus to administrator of the Griffin Williamson Campus, and most recently, regional president of Rosecrance, Inc. He holds a doctorate of philosophy in public policy and administration with an emphasis in nonprofit administration, a master of science degree in health service administration, and a bachelor’s degree in psychology. He has overseen the day-to-day services at Rosecrance’s many treatment centers and the expanding organization for several years. Outside of work, he is active in the community, coaching basketball, serving on the YMCA of Rock River Valley Board of Directors and volunteering for Special Olympics. He is also a member and past chairman of the Illinois Association for Behavioral Health Board of Directors.

“Rosecrance has been and will always be a part of my life, my soul,” says Eaton. “It is has been the greatest privilege of my life to spend my career with an agency that has served tens of thousands of individuals with compassion, dignity, and integrity. Dave Gomel is the right leader at the right time, and I have the greatest of confidence not only in him, but in his team, to write the next chapter of this incredible organization.”