Liang, who most recently served as executive vice president of the Seattle-based Group Health Cooperative for the Columbia Region, will begin her new role with Kaiser Permanente on March 5.

Liang, who joined Group Health in 1992, held numerous leadership roles in hospital, ambulatory care and health plan operations. Most recently, she was executive vice president for a division with 180,000 members across Washington state and Idaho, and the board chairwoman for KPS Health Plans Inc., a PPO subsidiary of Group Health. Additionally, she led numerous process improvement efforts across the organization, resulting in clinical advancements and a more competitive cost structure.

Liang graduated cum laude from Boston University with a bachelor's degree in political science. She earned her master's degree in health administration from the University of Washington.

"Joining Kaiser Permanente Hawaii brings a renewed professional calling for me," said Liang. "As the Hawaii Region's president, I'll have the responsibility of leading a vision and strategy that fulfills an agenda to thrive, as well as the opportunity to learn and influence national business practices."