CEO Eric Lewis to Retire

PORT ANGELES  (January 21, 2020) – Olympic Medical Center’s Board of Commissioners announced this morning that Chief Executive Officer Eric Lewis has submitted his intent to retire on May 1, 2020.

“Eric has been a tremendous asset to Olympic Medical Center for the past 21 years, particularly during his 13-year tenure as our organization’s CEO.   For more than two decades, he has focused on improving our community’s rural health care system, and he has never wavered from his strong commitment to quality, safety and positive patient experience at Olympic Medical Center,” says 2020 Board President Jim Leskinovitch.

Lewis started with Olympic Medical Center in November 1998 as chief financial officer. He displayed his rectitude and dynamic financial abilities as CFO which led to his selection as chief executive officer in December 2006.

“I have decided to refocus my life, and now is the right time.  I have thoroughly enjoyed working with all the wonderful people here at Olympic Medical Center for the past 21 years and together we have achieved much progress,” says Lewis. “I am proud of what our organization has become, and truly believe in the work our employees and medical staff do to take care of this community.”

Lewis adds: “It has been an honor to work with the Olympic Medical Center Board, Administrative Lead Team, employees, medical staff, volunteers and community partners.  I greatly appreciate their support over the years and I will miss working with them.  Olympic Medical Center has a great team, strong management and medical staff leaders, and I am confident that this organization will continue to move forward and successfully implement Olympic Medical Center’s Strategic Plan.”

Lewis notes he plans to take some time off and then evaluate options, but he is retiring from the role as a hospital administrator. “I have decided to go in a different direction in my life. I plan to find ways to continue to be an advocate for Olympic Medical Center, rural health care across our state, and patient access to affordable care,” he says.

Lewis’ accomplishments at Olympic Medical Center are to be celebrated, says Leskinovitch.

“Eric has successfully navigated our rural hospital through an exceptional amount of change,” says Leskinovitch. “His work in strategic planning, legislative advocacy, fiscal stewardship, process improvement, infrastructure, intentional culture, wellness and health, and developing a strong leadership team has positioned our organization well for future success.”

In Washington State, Lewis has been a leader in rural health care, including his 2018 appointment as Board Chair of the Washington State Hospital Association. He was also the Board President of the Association of Washington Public Hospital Districts in 2017.

He received a number of accolades and awards over the years, being recognized by the American Hospital Association as a Grassroots Leader in 2013, Joe Hopkins Memorial Award (which has a special focus on rural health) in 2017 from the Washington State Hospital Association, and 2018 Leaders in Health Care Honoree by Seattle Business Magazine.

The Board of Commissioners will be providing information on the transition process in a few days.