On Friday, April 8, Community Memorial Health System Board of Trustees Chair Richard R. Rush, together with Gary K. Wilde, announced Wilde’s plans to retire from his role as President & CEO of the health system later this year.
“Gary is an outstanding individual whose vision has helped build an incredible foundation for the future of Community Memorial Health System,” said Rush. “His experience and compassion are unmatched, and while we are sad to see him go, we are exceedingly proud of the work he has done in his tenure at Community Memorial Health System.”
Wilde, who joined Community Memorial Health System as President & CEO in 2004, led the organization through some of its most significant milestones, including the merger of Community Memorial Hospital and Ojai Valley Community Hospital to form Community Memorial Health System in 2005. Since then, Wilde successfully oversaw the planning, funding and construction of the new 250-bed Community Memorial Hospital which opened in December 2018, as well as the Continuing Care Center – a 75-bed, state-of-the-art skilled nursing facility located on the campus of Ojai Valley Community Hospital thatopened in July 2020.
In addition to his role as President & CEO of Community Memorial Health System, Wilde served as Chair of the California Hospital Association’s Board of Trustees in 2020, playing an instrumental role in the COVID-19 pandemic response at the city, county, and state levels.
“It has been an honor to work with the dedicated physicians and staff at Community Memorial Health System for these past 18 years and I am incredibly grateful for the support from our community over the years,” said Wilde. “While I will continue to lead the organization over the next several months, I am looking forward to possibly teaching, going on humanitarian missions, and spending more time with my family.”
The Community Memorial Health System Board of Trustees has hired the nationally recognized recruiting firm, Witt Kieffer, to lead the search for, and consideration of, internal and external candidates to succeed Wilde as President & CEO. Wilde intends to continue leading the health system until a successor is selected and on-boarded. This process is expected to be complete by Fall 2022.
