John S. Dubis, president and CEO of St. Elizabeth Healthcare, announced this morning that he is retiring due to health issues.
He said he has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, a progressive disorder of the nervous system.
Although early in its progression, Dubis insisted that he step down from the leadership role immediately so that his health issues did no negatively impact the organization or the communities and patients its serves.
In a letter sent to St. E’s 7300 associates earlier today, Board Chairman James Votruba, former president of Northern Kentucky University, said, “John is dedicated to the ongoing success of this organization in serving its mission to improve the health of the people we serve and does not believe he can effectively lead St. Elizabth and look after his health.”
The resignation is effective immediately.
Garren Colvin, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, will assume Dubis’ role while the board initiates a national search for his successor. Colvin has been with St. E’s in various roles over 31 years.
While Dubis’ departure was not anticipated, the board has confidence in senior leadership during the transition, Votruba said.
“It is a sign of an organization’s strength and maturity when the departure of a key executive does not disrupts its focus and day-t–o-day pursuit of excellence,” he said.
Bishop of the Covington Diocese, Roger J. Foys, said of Dubis, “He has without a doubt left his mark on this institution of healing and caring and he will be sorely missed.”
“I am honored to have had this opportunity to lead such an outstanding organization,” Dubis said. “I have led many hospital organizations in my 38-year career but none has been as dedicated to its mission and focused on the quality and experience of its patients as St. Elizabeth Healtcare.”
Under Dubis’ leadership, St. Elizabeth increased the number of patients it serves in its multi-hospital health system and through its integrated primary care and speciality physician group, St. Elizabeth Physicians, to more than two million in 2014.