CPGH, Inc., the hospital’s Board of Directors, is pleased to announce the selection of Ryan K. Smith for the position of President and Chief Executive Officer of Central Peninsula General Hospital.  His appointment will be effective April 29, 2006.  Mr. Smith has served as the hospital’s Chief Financial Officer since January 2006.  He was one of eight highly qualified individuals presented to the Board for consideration by the national healthcare executive search firm, Witt/Keiffer.  Mr. Smith and two other candidates were selected as finalists and each recently went through two days of on-site interviews and meetings.

Ryan Smith gained executive experience as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer at smaller hospitals in Homer and in Riverton, Wyoming, and in larger hospitals in Salt Lake City, Utah, Anchorage, Alaska and Somerset, Kentucky.  Ryan has also experienced the medical industry from entry-level positions such as an operating room housekeeper and patient file clerk while he was still in school.   He has a B.S. in Accounting and a M.B.A. from the University of Utah.  Mr. Smith and his wife, Sharon, have three teenaged children – Nathan, Amanda and Melanie.  The family will remain in Salt Lake City until Nathan graduates from high school this summer.   Nathan will remain in the Lower 48 to attend university, and the two girls will move with their parents to Soldotna where the family is building a home.

"I am extremely excited for this opportunity”, says Smith.  “Central Peninsula General Hospital has made significant progress the past three years under David Gilbreath and the Board's leadership.  I look forward to working with the hospital operating board, medical staff, employees, volunteers and community to continue this growth at the hospital and in the medical community. I am excited to continue the pursuit of initiatives currently underway at CPGH, including the potential acquisition of Heritage Place, recruitment of new physician specialties and the completion of the expansion project.  I also look forward to exploring the feasibility of other expressed medical needs of the community.  The hospital has seen significant improvement in patient, employee and community satisfaction and I look forward to working with the constituents to continue those trends." 

“I have worked closely with Ryan over the past three months and he has impressed me with his incredible business sense and outstanding interpersonal skills.  I am confident that his vision and energy will take CPGH to new heights of excellence in serving the health needs of our community,” said David Gilbreath, outgoing CEO.

Loretta Flanders, CPGH, Inc. Board President agrees, “With the opening of the hospital expansion later this year and the possible acquisition of Heritage Place, CPGH is in a better position to meet the needs of the service area residents.  Mr. Smith has the right combination of business and people skills, enthusiasm, energy, vision, and community-mindedness to tackle the internal and external issues associated with growth and change.  The hospital board looks forward to a long-term working relationship with Mr. Smith.”