North Valley begins search for permanent CEO

The North Valley Hospital Board of Directors has initiated a search process to select a permanent chief executive officer for the organization, the hospital announced Monday.

The hospital in April announced that Chris Thomas had been selected to serve as its interim CEO, taking over for interim CEO Tate Kreitinger. However, the hospital this week said it was beginning a national search for a permanent CEO after the board decided at a recent meeting to begin the search process.

“The board determined that undertaking a national search would best serve our responsibility to our patients, the community, and employees,” North Valley Hospital Board President Jane Karas said in a prepared release. “As an affiliate of the Kalispell Regional Healthcare System, we are committed to the mission and vision of North Valley Hospital, and continuing to support our Planetree culture.”

Thomas previously served as chief operating officer for three years at the hospital before taking over the hospital’s top leadership role.

Kreitinger assumed the role of interim CEO at North Valley along with his duties serving as CEO of The HeathCenter at Kalispell Regional Healthcare. Kreitinger took on the position after Jason Spring last June stepped down as CEO at the Whitefish hospital and moved into a new role with Kalispell Regional Healthcare.

North Valley Hospital last year became an affiliate under the umbrella of Kalispell Regional Healthcare.

Allison Linville, with North Valley, said Thomas will remain in her position until a CEO is selected. Whether she will stay at North Valley Hospital following the process in undetermined.

“She is considering her opportunities,” Linville said.

The hospital has selected Witt/Kieffer, a national firm, to conduct the process which is anticipated to be completed by the end of the year.