CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The longtime president and CEO of the West Virginia Hospital Association has announced his retirement.
Joe Letnaunchyn will retire Dec. 31 after 14 years with the organization. Letnaunchyn has been in the healthcare industry for 45 years.
“It has been an honor serving the leadership and dedicated health professionals of West Virginia’s hospitals and health systems,” Letnaunchyn said in a news release. “I have enjoyed my time with the Association, and I’m proud of the many accomplishments made by the WVHA team on behalf of our members.”
The last few years have been difficult on many small hospitals in the Mountain State with the steady decrease of patients who have commercial insurance and the steady increase of patients covered by discounted government healthcare plans. The last five weeks may have been the most challenging of Letnaunchyn’s career with hospitals having to eliminate elective procedures to prepare for a possible surge in the coronavirus.
The hospital association’s executive committee will conduct a search for the organization’s next president and CEO.
“Joe has been an invaluable part of WVHA during his tenure,” Kevin Fowler, chair of the WVHA Board and president and CEO of Cabell Huntington Hospital said Friday. “On behalf of the WVHA Board and membership, I would like to thank Joe for his tireless efforts in support of the Association’s members and the communities and patients we serve.”