After 12 years as president of New Hanover Regional Medical Center (NHRMC), president and chief executive officer Jack Barto is retiring. The medical center’s board of trustees has appointed current chief operating officer John Gizdic as his successor.
Gizdic and Barto will work together during a transition period, an April 5 press release stated, to ensure a seamless leadership change. On July 1 Gizdic will assume the title of president and Barto will remain as CEO until his retirement date, no later than June 30, 2017.
The board was unanimous in its decision.
“With all the uncertainty about healthcare’s future, we’re fortunate to have someone with John’s experience, both in the profession and especially at NHRMC, to guide us going forward,” board chairman Dick McGraw said in the press release. “John will also bring to this position talents and a vision that are unique to him and will be needed for us going forward.”
Barto’s salary was $324,248 in 2008. The Star News’ public official’s salary finder reports by fall of 2015 his annual compensation had increased to $746,750, with other compensation listed as $87,676. Gizdic’s salary in fall of 2015 was reported as $412,005.
Gizdic, 46, began at NHRMC in 2005 and was named chief operating officer in 2013. He led or directed several key initiatives during his 11 years at the hospital: creating the physician network that became NHRMC Physicians Group; leading Physician Quality Partners, the organization’s Accountable Care Organization and facilitating numerous joint ventures in partnership with physicians.
“I’m honored and humbled to be given this opportunity,” Gizdic said. “I want to thank the board of trustees for their support and confidence, and thank Jack for his leadership over the last 11 years and for everything he has taught me.”
In the press release, Barto stated his confidence in his successor.
“I’m staying here in this area,” Barto said, “so I will be very much invested in the ongoing success of this medical center, which I’m confident will be the case under John’s leadership. He is fully prepared to take leadership of this organization, continue the success we’ve enjoyed and build on it in his own way.”
Barto also expressed his gratitude for his years with the hospital, a time period that, the release states, was the most consistently successful era in NHRMC’s almost 50 years. During his tenure, the medical center completed numerous key projects, including the NHRMC Betty H. Cameron Women’s & Children’s Hospital, the NHRMC Surgical Pavilion, a renovated patient tower, a physician network of more than 230 providers, conversion to electronic medical record, NHRMC Ed-North and the current renovation of both the Emergency Department at NHRMC and the NHRMC Zimmer Cancer Center.
“I’ve been privileged to work with an amazing group of co-workers, a phenomenal medical staff, generous volunteers and a supportive group of trustees,” Barto said. “New Hanover Regional Medical Center will always be a part of me and my family.”
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