After serving nearly 40 years in healthcare, over half of his career at Community and for almost five as our President and CEO, Craig Castro has informed our Board of Trustees of his decision to retire early next year.

With Thanksgiving upon us, it is fitting to express our immense gratitude to Craig for his many bold achievements during his leadership tenure. When serving as our Chief Information Officer, Craig modernized our technology systems and led the early adoption of electronic medical records, which now serves as the gold standard that connects thousands of patients and providers in our region and beyond. Craig oversaw the multiphased expansion of Clovis Community Medical Center, which tripled the inpatient capacity of the hospital, expanded our cancer program with the addition of the Community Cancer Institute, and complemented the 285 inpatient beds that were added at Community Regional Medical Center. 

Craig took the helm as Community Health System’s President and CEO just days before we received our first COVID-19 patient, marking the beginning of our multi-year response to the global pandemic that highlighted our team's heroic efforts statewide. At the same time, under Craig’s leadership we launched Community Provider Network, which includes a medical foundation that’s grown to nearly 500 providers strong. In addition, Craig has strengthened our partnerships and investments in medical education that cultivate our future doctors and nurses. 

All of these achievements help ensure our families and friends can receive the most advanced medical treatment right here at home. Generations of Valley residents will continue to benefit from Craig’s mark on our healthcare system.

While I could produce a much longer list of his accomplishments, among Craig’s most admirable — and one he’s extremely proud of — is the team he has put in place to lead this great organization into the future. Please join me in congratulating Craig and celebrating his amazing service to our Community. 

Roger Sturdevant