The Board of Directors of South Peninsula Hospital, Inc., announced Tuesday, May 14, their selection of Ryan Smith for the position of Chief Executive Officer. Smith currently serves as CEO of Memorial Hospital of Converse County in Douglas, Wyoming. During his nearly eight years there he successfully created a clinically integrated provider network, oversaw the addition of a 25,000 square foot freestanding medical office building, and markedly improved patient satisfaction and employee engagement.

Prior to Memorial Hospital, Smith was the CEO of Central Peninsula Hospital (CPH) in Soldotna for five years, during which time he led a $50 million dollar expansion, nearly tripled gross patient revenues, resulting in a positive operating and net income, and negotiated a 10-year hospital lease and operating agreement with the Kenai Peninsula Borough. While at CPH he was the Chair of the Alaska State Hospital and Nursing Home Association, awarded “Grassroots Champion” by the American Hospital Association in 2009, and named Soldotna Chamber of Commerce “Person of the Year” in 2010.

Smith started his healthcare administration career right at South Peninsula Hospital in Homer where he served as Chief Financial Officer from 1996-1998. From 1998 to 2002, he was Chief Financial Officer for Life Point Hospitals, Inc, and served as CFO at Salt Lake Regional Medical Center from 2004-2005.  He spent his first ten years in healthcare with the Hospital Corporation of America, working his way up through several positions to a leadership position in the finance department.

David Groesbeck, SPH Board President, says the board is excited for this opportunity for SPH and the Homer community. “Mr. Smith is a talented CEO. His references speak to extraordinary talents, his record speaks for itself, and his familiarity with Alaska and the Kenai Peninsula will prove invaluable. We are fortunate that his desire to return to Homer aligns perfectly with our organization’s needs and goals. He is a proven leader with the right experience, vision and commitment to lead us forward.”

Smith earned both a BS in Accounting and an MBA from The University of Utah in Salt Lake City. He will arrive to Homer in August to begin the position full time, but will be involved in upper level administration before then. Noel Rea, named interim CEO in April, will remain on until Smith’s arrival.