Barbara Lay has resigned as the long-time CEO of Minnie Hamilton Health System in Grantsville.
Lay has been widely recognized for her work in delivering healthcare to rural areas, and was the recipient of the Outstanding Rural Health Achievement Award in 2007.
The Board of Directors of Minnie Hamilton Health System has announced Lay's resignation to "start another journey helping a rural community retain access to vital healthcare services."
"I feel I need to continue our work as CEO at Pocahontas
Memorial Hospital," Lay said.
Minnie Hamilton has been involved in a management contract to revitalize the Pocahontas County hospital, which had been struggling to survive, reportedly pulling the facility from near
financial collapse to placing it into the black and providing the mountain community with health services.
"We are glad that Barbara was led to work at Minnie Hamilton, she has truly made a difference," Jean Simers, President of the Board of Directors stated.
"It is with regret, but understanding we accept her resignation," said Simers.
Since 1995, Lay has served as the CEO of Minnie Hamilton Health System, a critical access hospital and a federally qualified health center that serves Calhoun and Gilmer counties.
Lay's major accomplishments included providing leadership after the closure of Calhoun General Hospital in 1995.
The threat of collapse of the health care system in rural Calhoun County resulted in the formation of an integrated organization that retains access to care and strengthens local providers, according to a press release from MHHS.
During Lay's tenure, Minnie Hamilton has expanded from a small clinic of thirteen employees with revenues of less than one million, to an expansion of services that now employs over 200 people and generates greater than sixteen million dollars in revenue annually.
MHHS is Calhoun's second largest employer, the local school system being first.
Minnie Hamilton has become a financially viable health care delivery system that had been widely identified as a "model that works" across the nation.
Under Lay's administration, numerous special programs to provide health services have come into existence, including expanding services to Gilmer County, school-based health and a certified day care center.
"It has been an amazing journey these past sixteen years. I always say that what we have accomplished here at Minnie Hamilton has been accomplished because we have worked together as a team and I feel truly blessed that I was provided the opportunity to be the leader of this team," Lay said.
"I would like to thank those original board members who took a chance and provided me this wonderful opportunity to do worthwhile work and the members since who have allowed me to continue." Lay said.
"I would especially like to thank the staff, who over the years, have worked in many ways and tireless hours, to ensure that the thousands of people we serve are provided quality care. Without you there would be no Minnie Hamilton Health System."
"The process to hire a new CEO will begin in July," said Simers.
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