Community Memorial Health System Board of Trustees Chair Richard Rush, alongside Chief Executive Gary Wilde, announced Wilde’s plans to retire later this year.
“Gary is an outstanding individual whose vision has helped build an incredible foundation for the future of Community Memorial Health System,” Rush said in a statement. “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.”
Wild joined Community Memorial Health System in 2004 as its chief executive and led the organization through the merger of Community Memorial Hospital and Ojai Valley Community Hospital, which formed the current organization. Wilde also oversaw the creation of a 250-bed Community Memorial Hospital in 2018 and a 75-bed nursing facility in July 2020.
The system has facilities in the Ventura, Oxnard, Camarillo, Santa Paula, Ojai, Oak View, Fillmore and Port Hueneme markets.
“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,” Wilde said in a statement. “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 recruiting firm Witt Kieffer to lead the search for candidates to succeed Wilde. The process is expected to be complete by this fall.
