Hospital CEO Dale Kirby leaving post

Colusa Regional Medical Center Chief Executive Officer Dale Kirby is leaving for the legislative halls in Sacramento and beyond.

After nearly 10 years at the helm of the hospital, Kirby has taken a job as a regional director for the American Hospital Association — a job that entails representing and lobbying for the group in a number of states, including California.

"It is quite an honor," said Brady Myers, the president of the hospital's board of directors.

Kirby could not be reached for comment.

Myers said that Kirby was hired in January 2003 and credits him for guiding the hospital into a very strong position for the future.

He pointed to the hospital's fiscal health, an increase in services offered, an increase in facilities — including the community clinics in Arbuckle, Williams, Stonyford and Colusa — and the building improvements on the hospital campus.

Myers also noted the electronic record-keeping advancements Kirby spearheaded at the hospital, getting Colusa Regional ahead of the curve on new hospital regulations.

Kirby also was front and center in helping to attract new physicians to town after the Davis Medical Group left, a departure with a lot of fingerpointing in both directions, and a fair share at Kirby.

The hospital board is scheduled to meet today at 8 a.m. to discuss what the options are for replacing Kirby.

"There are several options for us," Myers said, "and I have interviewed all our board members and each has his or her own ideas."

What seems to be a consensus is that an interim director will be named and a new full-time executive officer would be hired sometime after the holidays.

"We think he has set a good foundation ... and believe the next chief executive officer that comes in will not have to make a lot of changes," Myers said.

Kirby's last day is Nov. 9.