The CEO of Dartmouth-Hitchcock says he will step down when his contract expires next June.
A spine surgeon by training, James Weinstein has led the state’s largest health care system since 2011. During that time, he’s had to navigate both local and national challenges, including the arrival of the Affordable Care Act.
“The past five years have been ones of exciting and sometimes challenging change in health care,” says Weinstein in a statement posted to the hospital’s website. “D-H is on a good path and now is the right time to transition to a new leader who will apply his or her vision and energy to the tasks before us.”
Weinstein, 66, will continue to teach at Dartmouth’s medical school. He informed the trustees of his decision to step down in 2015. The hospital system, which has more than 9,000 employees and 24 clinics across New Hampshire and Vermont, will conduct a national search for his replacement.
“I think Jim has really set the vision of where we need to go,” says Anne-Lee Verville, chair of the board of trustees for Dartmouth-Hitchcock. “He’s very focused on the future of healthcare, and he’s has led us forward in trying to be at the forefront.”
Dartmouth-Hitchcock has struggled financially in recent years. The non-profit posted a $39 million operating loss last year, and was forced to layoff 84 employees. According to the Valley News, D-H saw stronger numbers in the most recent quarter, posting a positive operating margin of just under $600,000.
