After nearly a decade at the helm of South Peninsula Hospital, CEO Robert Letson announced his retirement earlier this week. He plans to retire in June 2018. The hospital’s board of directors will begin recruitment efforts for a new CEO immediately.  As CEO, Letson is credited with numerous organization achievements, including improved financial performance, the addition and expansion of outpatient clinics and services, the inclusion of primary care, and the successful recruitment and retention of 26 new physicians.

Matt Hambrick, president of the hospital’s board of directors, said, “We are extremely grateful for Bob’s leadership and dedication over the past 10 years. He led our community hospital to a top-100, five-star level, improving the quality of life for the residents we serve. His vision and commitment put our community hospital on the leading edge of healthcare.”

Letson became the hospital’s chief administrator in March 2008, bringing with him more than 21 years of proven success in not-for-profit hospital management and 13 years with for-profit hospitals. Since then, he has been instrumental in the advancement of hospital services and operations. Under his leadership, South Peninsula Hospital has three times been named a Top 100 Critical Access Hospital in the nation, chosen out of 1,300 eligible hospitals based on quality, patient perspective, affordability, market strength and other performance indicators. Additionally, the hospital’s nursing home is rated five-star by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Quality Compare Program based on quality measures, staffing and health inspections.