22 SEP 2016

NorthBay Healthcare Names New CEO & President



Promoting from within, NorthBay Healthcare today announced that Konard Jones, president of its hospital division, will take the reins from President and CEO Gary Passama who will retire next year on March 31, after 35 years at the helm.

Jones returned to the local, independent healthcare system in February 2015 to manage the day-to-day operations of NorthBay Medical Center in Fairfield and NorthBay VacaValley Hospital in Vacaville.

The CEO-select previously served as NorthBay Healthcare’s vice president of human resources from 1995 to 2004. He then became president and CEO of Broadline Medical Inc., but returned to hospital operations in 2011 serving as vice president, professional and support services, at UC San Francisco Benioff Children’s Hospital, Oakland.

His appointment spurs another promotion from within the organization. Aimee Brewer, who currently oversees all outpatient services as president of the ambulatory division, will become president of NorthBay Healthcare Group. Her duties will expand as she adds leadership responsibility of the two hospitals as well as The Surgery Center at NorthBay VacaValley.

“Several years ago, the Board of Directors embraced a succession plan knowing that key top leaders were approaching retirement and we wanted to grow the next generation from within,” explained Ben Huber, chairman of the board. “These selections are a result of cultivating those who live the mission and nurture the unique culture that is NorthBay Healthcare.”

The outgoing CEO is confident the new wave of leadership will succeed in advancing medicine and providing compassionate care, close to home. “It’s clear that Konard has gained the trust of those who work closest with him in our hospitals, but also the other senior managers and the Board of Directors,” observed Passama.

He added, “We have worked hard for decades to provide a different type of health care, not assembly-line, corporate-style patient treatment. And Konard has understood and espoused that principle from his first day here.”

Jones said he understands he has big shoes to fill.

“I’m honored the Board of Directors selected me to take the baton from ‘Mr. NorthBay,’ Gary Passama,” he said. “I won’t attempt to fill his shoes, but instead make new footprints in the sands of this great institution. It will be a privilege to work with the highly committed physicians, management team, staff and volunteers.”

He added, “There is much work to do and many uncertainties in health care, but Gary has positioned NorthBay to take on those challenges. So as we come to an end of one great era and we begin a new one, I commit all of my energy and passion to keeping this extraordinary health care system the leader in Solano County.”

Even while working in Oakland, Jones and his wife, Denise, have lived in Fairfield. He is active in community affairs, serving as a board member of the Solano Affordable Housing Foundation, an honorary commander at Travis Air Force Base, a board member of the Solano Coalition for Better Health and a community advisory committee member for Touro University. He is a graduate of Grambling State University, where he played football under legendary Coach Eddie Robinson.

Brewer joined NorthBay Healthcare in August 2014 with the charge of growing the array and the sophistication of services outside the hospital.

With the vision of access to excellence for patients and a partner in health and wellness to the community, Brewer has led initiatives resulting in significant improvements for NorthBay in both quality and patient experience.

“Expanding Aimee’s role was an easy decision,” said Archie Humphrey, chairman of the board of directors of NorthBay Healthcare Group, the division that oversees all medical services within the system. “She quickly acclimated to the nonprofit, community-oriented philosophy that is ingrained here. She promptly took to building relationships and partnerships, enhancing and expanding services across the organization.”

He added, “I speak for the board when I say, without a doubt, we are confident that our progress over the years, fueled by Gary Passama’s vision of compassionate care, advanced medicine, close to home will continue with Konard and Aimee.”

Brewer said she is proud of the organization and the accomplishments already achieved, noting, “The leadership team in place is extraordinary. The physicians are truly exceptional and highly engaged. Collectively, our employees are committed to providing high-quality, personalized care.”

Brewer came to NorthBay Healthcare from HCA Physician Services, appointed as director of operations for MountainStar Healthcare, serving Utah, Idaho, Alaska and Nevada. Prior to joining HCA, she was administrator for the Payson Center for Cancer Care. In addition, she was a practice manager and researcher for Children’s Hospital of Boston. She has a bachelor’s degree from Simmons College in Boston and a master’s degree in public health from the University of New Hampshire. She recently joined the advisory board of the Salvation Army Kroc Center. She, too, is an honorary commander at Travis Air Force Base.

Passama’s departure in six months provides time for a smooth change of command at NorthBay Healthcare, according to Huber. “Gary was adamant, as was the Board of Directors, that such a momentous transition be accomplished without distracting from the many, many advancements under way.”

NorthBay Healthcare recently opened the $58 million VacaValley Wellness Center in Vacaville, comprising a variety of key services, including its new state-of-the-art Cancer Center, a center for diabetes treatment and prevention, functional medicine, cutting-edge diagnostic imaging and the county’s first medical fitness center.

In the fall an ambitious modernization project hits stride at NorthBay Medical Center in Fairfield when a new “welcome pavilion” opens. This new entrance to the 132-bed hospital precedes construction of a new three-story wing to replace older portions of the facility and an expansion of the Emergency Department. The $250 million investment in the downtown Fairfield campus will take three years to complete.

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