MIDLAND, MI – Lydia Watson, M.D., C.P.E., will retire as president and CEO of MyMichigan Health on July 5, 2026, after more than 29 years with the Midland-based health system. Bryan Cross, Pharm.D., FACHE, the current chief operating officer, will transition into the role on March 29, 2026.
Watson’s career in medicine began with an unlikely inspiration in fourth grade when she earned a Girl Scout first aid badge.
“My passion for medicine was ignited when I was a Girl Scout in the fourth grade and earned my first aid badge,” Watson said. “I had no idea at the time that a quest to earn a small, round badge would be the driver for a lifelong commitment to helping and healing others.”
Watson completed her undergraduate and medical degrees at Wayne State University School of Medicine and a residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Saginaw Cooperative Hospitals. She served six years in the Army National Guard 207th EVAC Hospital and was honorably discharged as a captain in 1992.
She worked as an obstetrician-gynecologist at MyMichigan Medical Center Midland, caring for thousands of women. She previously served as an active staff member at Saginaw General Hospital from 1988 to 1996.
Watson’s career evolved into administrative roles, including senior vice president and chief medical officer, chief quality and patient safety officer, chief of staff, vice president of medical affairs, and board member of MyMichigan Medical Center Midland.
Under her leadership, Watson championed a culture emphasizing safety and open communication. She led the acquisition of Ascension Medical Center locations in Saginaw, Standish, and Tawas, which expanded the organization’s capabilities in those areas. Watson also played a key role in MyMichigan’s collaboration with Central Michigan University and Covenant Healthcare to move CMU’s Medical School to the campus of MyMichigan Medical Center Saginaw.
“Dr. Lydia Watson’s story shows all of us about the power of passion, dedication, and a lifelong commitment to serving others,” said Eric Smith, board chair of MyMichigan Health Board of Directors. “She has been an outstanding partner and collaborator with all those with whom she’s worked and her commitment to excellence and compassion has impacted countless lives and inspired future generations of health care professionals.”
Beyond her professional work, Watson served as volunteer medical director for Shelterhouse’s Sexual Assault Nursing Exam program for 11 years. She has served on boards including the Strosacker Family Foundation, Midland Center for the Arts, Michigan Baseball Foundation, Shelterhouse, The Legacy Center for Community Success, and the Michigan Hospital Association.
Watson has received numerous awards, including the Midland Area Chamber of Commerce Athena Award, the 2020 YWCA Woman of the Year in Healthcare Award, recognition in Northwood University’s 2023 Class of Distinguished Women, and selection as a laureate in the 2025 Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame.
“If I could tell my 10-year-old self that building a first aid kit would lead to such a fulfilling career in medicine, I certainly would,” Watson said. “I am deeply grateful for the opportunities I’ve had, all those that have inspired me and the lives I have had the honor to serve and care for.”
Watson is a wife, mother, and grandmother to four. MyMichigan Health spans 26 counties across Michigan.