CMHS President and Chair Gary K. Wilde Elected Chair of the California Hospital Association

Gary K. Wilde, Community Memorial Health System’s president and CEO, has been elected chair of the California Hospital Association’s Board of Trustees for 2020.

In his new role, Wilde, of Somis, will help guide the association in advancing policies that ensure California hospitals can continue to provide vital health care services to their communities. The CHA represents over 400 hospitals and health systems in California. The CHA advocates for patients and hospitals, promotes public health policy, and serves as the voice for hospitals at the state and federal levels. The CHA has offices in Sacramento and Washington, D.C.

“I’m excited about the opportunity to work with hospital leaders from across our state as we help shape a healthcare delivery system of the future for California,” Wilde said. “Healthcare needs to be more affordable and more accessible, and hospitals must be leaders in these efforts. This renewed commitment to our patients and our communities will drive our efforts this year.”

CHA President and CEO Carmela Coyle called Wilde an insightful leader who steps into the board chair role at an important moment for the health care field.

“California’s health care system is on the cusp of major changes that will ultimately result in more affordable, higher quality care that will be much easier to access for everyone,” Coyle said. “Gary is an astute, thoughtful leader who will help hospitals chart a new path forward as we work to uplift the health and well-being of our patients and the communities we serve.”

Wilde joined CMHS, a nonprofit health system, in 2004. CMHS is comprised of Community Memorial Hospital in Ventura, Ojai Valley Community Hospital, the Centers for Family Health and other specialty clinics. Wilde has successfully led the health system as it greatly expanded its services and facilities and built a brand new state-of-the art hospital. Wilde previously spent 22 years in top leadership positions with Cottage Health System in Santa Barbara, becoming executive vice president and chief operating officer in 2000.

Earlier in his career, Wilde worked for St. Luke’s Hospital in Phoenix and Bristol Myers (Squibb) in Syracuse, N.Y. Wilde earned his bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University, a master’s in Health Services Administration from Arizona State University School of Business, and a doctorate degree in Health Administration from Medical University of South Carolina.

Wilde also serves on a number of boards within and outside the healthcare field. He has served as the chair of the Hospital Association of Southern California, chair of the Ventura Chamber of Commerce, and chair of Creative Testing Solutions, the largest non-profit blood donor testing laboratory organization in the country.