David Bigelow, chief executive officer at Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital (SPCH), announced that he will retire effective June 1, 2017. Bigelow shared his plans with the hospital and Health District boards this week. “Now that the plans for the new hospital are well underway, I believe this is a good time for a new leader to come in and build on the positive momentum to take us to the next level,” Bigelow said.

Larry Mullins, Samaritan Health Services’ president/chief executive officer, thanked Bigelow for his leadership and service during his 19-year tenure with Samaritan. Bigelow first served as CEO at Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital (SNLH), then assumed the same position at SPCH in 2003.“David will leave the hospital in a strong financial position and he has provided important strategic guidance in planning for the new hospital,” Mullins said. “SPCH is well-positioned for continued success.”

Mullins said Lesley Ogden, MD, CEO at Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital, will serve as interim CEO at SPCH after Bigelow’s retirement in addition to her role at SNLH. “We have asked Dr. Ogden to serve as the interim CEO until we can determine how we would like to proceed with that position in the long-term,” Mullins said. “Having Dr. Ogden in both roles will also enhance communication as both Newport and Lincoln City continue their plans for new hospitals.”

Ralph Breitenstein, MD, chair of the Pacific Communities Health District board, thanked Bigelow for the leadership role he played in the successful bond measure campaign for the new hospital. “David has been a real champion for this project, and he has worked tirelessly to ensure that the new facility will meet the needs of our community for years to come,” Breitenstein said.

With his retirement, Bigelow concludes a 40-year career in health care beginning as a pharmacist. He held positions of increasing responsibility in Southern California health care facilities until moving to Oregon in 1997 to assume the top job at SNLH.
Information provided by SPCH