CEO Steve Patonai will retire this fall

From the LCCHC Board of Commissioners
With good wishes as well as regret the Board of Commissioners of LCCHC announces the planned retirement of Chief Executive Officer Steve Patonai, effective this fall.

“While we have known all along that Steve would be with us for only a short time, his excellent service and vision for our Hospital District, patients, community and employees, have been so respected and appreciated. We are glad he has chosen to live in Chelan and wish him the very best in his retirement,” said Phyllis Gleasman, Board Chair.

Significant progress toward long-term financial health has been made during Mr. Patonai’s tenure. “With Steve’s assistance the Commission developed a new vision to achieve the highest quality and service standards, greater financial strength and readiness to build a new hospital facility and health care delivery system,” said Gleasman.

“The new hospital design is underway and construction will begin in the Spring of 2020,” said Mary Signorelli, a member of the Facilities Committee. “We are looking as far ahead as possible to ensure the new facility will address community needs and align with the future of health care,” she added.

To help the hospital and clinic survive and thrive in today’s uncertain health care environment, Mr. Patonai developed a new administrative team and processes, according to Gleasman. “We recognize and value the many changes Mr. Patonai has brought to our Hospital District while facing many challenges. Employees are working more closely together, blending their skills to help improve the quality and efficiency of LCCHC services for our patients,” she said.

Mr. Patonai moved to Lake Chelan in early 2018 with the intention to retire within a short time. The Board is now finalizing a succession plan to hire a new Chief Executive Officer who will continue to work on the established vision for the future of our Hospital District, Gleasman added. She emphasized that the senior administrative team will be working closely with the Board in the selection process. The community is welcome to attend the open public Board meetings on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 1:30 PM in the hospital board room.