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Halseth Named New CEO Of Valley Health System

Michael J. Halseth, who has served as executive director of the University of Virginia Medical Center since 1989, announced today that he has accepted the position of president and chief executive officer of the Valley Health System in Winchester, Va., effective Monday, October 19,1998.

When the opportunity was first presented to me in June, it was such an exciting possibility that I had to give it careful consideration, Halseth said. Although my time at U.Va. has been wonderful, and leaving the Health System and Charlottesville will be difficult, the chance to be president and CEO of such an outstanding health system, coupled with the opportunity to continue building and developing a regional health care system, was one I simply could not pass up.

Valley Health System (VHS), serving a population of 400,000 in northwestern Virginia and the West Virginia panhandle, is an organization that includes Winchester Medical Center, Warren Memorial Hospital, War Memorial Hospital, Winchester Rehabilitation Center, Surgi-Center of Winchester, Urgent Care Centers, Valley Home Care, Valley Medical Transport and Valley Pharmacy and Infusion.

Mike's contributions to this medical center over the years have been profound and we are sorry to see him go, said Dr. Robert Cantrell, vice president and provost of health sciences at U.Va. His hard work and dedication have helped to make the Medical Center the fine institution that it is, with wonderful facilities, great management and staff and a sound financial position.

I accept Mike's resignation with regret, and wish him the very best with this new endeavor. It is also my hope that we will work closely with him and the Valley Health System as we continue our own networking efforts to better serve the patients of this region.

Beginning in November 1998, Halseth also will become chairman of the Virginia Hospital Association.

Halseth joined the U.Va. Medical Center in 1982 as administrator and chief operating officer. He moved to Charlottesville from Fort Worth, Texas, where he worked as associate hospital director of All Saints Episcopal Hospital. Before that, Halseth had management experience in two other community hospitals.

September 8, 1998