VGH CEO Leaving

Mark Judy Leaving After Nine Years Service

Monroe, WA –Providing patients with safe, quality care in a healing environment is the mission of Valley General Hospital. Mark Judy, CEO has lead that charge well for the last nine years. But on March 25, Mr. Judy and the hospital Board of Commissioners unanimously concurred to amend his Employment Agreement to terminate effective July 29, 2009.

“The discussion leading up to this change in our senior leadership has been difficult for all involved. We believe this is the best way for this Board to move forward in many critical matters confronting the delivery of health care which are fundamental and necessary to insure the success of Valley General Hospital in meeting the health care needs of the people throughout our Hospital District,” states Neil Watkins, Chair, VGH Board of Commissioners.

The Board is moving forward with this change understanding that they are separating from an individual intensely committed to the success of Valley General Hospital.

Mark is highly regarded by his Board, his leadership team, the hospital community and VGH physicians. Mark is a competent health care executive recognized throughout the state. He is a man with selfless service in devotion to his role. He is well recognized throughout this community for leadership in community-wide improvement efforts beyond the four walls of the hospital. We are fortunate to have benefited from nine years of Mark's leadership. Mark has developed a strong management team who together with the Board and physician leadership, have developed a solid strategy for the future of VGH.

Mark has been a significant role model and change agent at VGH, particularly focused on an unwavering commitment to improve quality, the patient’s experience and patient and employee safety throughout the organization. Cultural change can be difficult to sustain, as it addresses fundamental behavioral expectations involving many throughout the hospital. Although this was challenging for many people, Mark instituted positive changes that have made VGH a better place to receive care. As with many hospitals this change demands behavioral accountability from many. Being a successful change agent sometimes leads to the need to move on.

Mark will remain at VGH through the end of July and plans to finish his time here strongly and with continued dedication to the hospital. He is then looking forward to the chance to spend more time with his family – particularly with nine active grandchildren, some in Africa! Now that their children are grown, he also looks forward to the chance to pursue new opportunities and bring his strong spirit to another health care facility. A new community will be richly blessed with the benefits and capacities to be invested through the lives and presence that Mark and Terri Judy will bring into their midst. Mark also intends to continue significant statewide roles influencing health care policy.

The Board believes so strongly in the future of the hospital that this morning it unanimously voted to go to the voters in August to request an increase in its regular levy to enhance the right number and right type of physician specialists for our community; to extend the useful life of the current facility by continuing necessary upgrades; and to provide outreach services to the southwest part of the hospital district. This Board action was taken notwithstanding the leadership change at hand. This signifies the Board’s long-term vision for this community hospital.