Steamboat Springs, Colo. (September 25, 2018) – UCHealth Yampa Valley Medical Center (YVMC) Chief Executive Officer Frank May today announced that he will retire after serving the hospital and the Steamboat community for more than 20 years. May’s final day will be December 31.
“While I look forward to spending more time with my family, I will deeply miss each and every YVMC employee and provider,” said May. “I am extremely proud to have served YVMC for the past two decades including the last six years as CEO, and I know our hospital is set up for significant success in the future as part of the larger UCHealth system. This is a decision that my family and I have been planning for several months.”
May came to YVMC in 1998 and has served as chief operating officer, chief financial officer and compliance officer in addition to his current role as CEO. He led many important projects including expansions of YVMC’s cancer center, outpatient services and community benefits.
“On behalf of the Board, I thank Frank for his significant dedication and commitment to health care in the Yampa Valley,” said Rich Lowe, YVMC Board of Trustees chairman. “Frank’s leadership has guided YVMC to care for hundreds of thousands of patients, saving lives and improving our community.”
“Frank’s impact will continue to be felt in Steamboat Springs for decades to come. We are grateful to Frank and Yampa Valley Medical Center for bringing excellent health care to residents throughout northwest Colorado,” said Kara Stoller, Steamboat Springs Chamber CEO.
May and YVMC’s Board of Trustees led the hospital’s search for a health system partner and the integration with UCHealth in 2017. Since then, YVMC has received a higher trauma center designation, added nine new members to its medical staff, implemented new services for patients, and been named one of the nation’s 100 Great Hospitals by Becker’s Hospital Review. YVMC has implemented new technology including remote patient monitoring, telestroke and an advanced electronic medical record. May has also led the development of community partnerships and collaborations that improve the Yampa Valley and help residents live extraordinary lives.
“Frank has set YVMC up for long term success with many future projects already in the works. We thank him for his accomplishments and for always ensuring patients remain the top priority for everyone at the hospital,” said Kevin Unger, president and CEO of UCHealth’s northern Colorado region.
Over the coming months, May will transition his responsibilities to an interim leadership team who will lead the hospital while the YVMC board and UCHealth search for a permanent replacement. YVMC Chief Operating Officer Soniya Fidler will serve as interim president and Dr. Tom Downes, the chief medical officer for Poudre Valley Hospital and Medical Center of the Rockies, will serve as interim CEO.