Will continue to serve as president and CEO of St. Joseph’s Hospital
PETERSBURG, W.Va. – The Board of Trustees of Grant Memorial Hospital today (Jan. 25) announced the appointment of Skip Gjolberg as the Hospital’s interim CEO effective Jan. 31.
Gjolberg, who is currently the president and CEO of WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital in Buckhannon, will serve as the chief executive officer of both hospitals.
“The Board of Trustees of Grant Memorial Hospital is pleased to welcome Skip into the Grant Memorial Hospital family. We look forward to his leadership, energy, and enthusiasm as we continue our mission of providing outstanding healthcare,” Tammy Kesner, Board chair, said.
Under Gjolberg’s leadership, St. Joseph’s Hospital was named one of the top 100 critical access hospitals in the United States by the Chartis Center for Rural Health; received the National Patient Safety Excellence Award from Healthgrades; was recognized with the Gold Honors Achievement Award in the West Virginia Hospital Association's (WVHA) Commitment to Excellence Honors Program; and received the WVHA HOSPAC Over the Top Award for hospitals with up to 50 beds.
“I’m grateful to Tammy and the board for the trust they put in me and honored to be joining the Grant Memorial team,” Gjolberg said. “I look forward to getting to know everyone and working closely with them to keep building a great future for the Hospital.”
A graduate of Texas A&M University and Texas State University, Gjolberg came to WVU Medicine in 2016 from Cuero Community Hospital (CCH) in Cuero, Texas, where he served as president and CEO. Prior to his leadership of CCH, he was the chief administrative officer of the Prairie du Chien Memorial Hospital and held leadership positions with the Hospital Sisters Health System in Wisconsin.
Gjolberg is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and a member of the National Rural Health Association. He is active at the national level as the rural representative on the American Hospital Association’s Regional Policy Board Region 3, at the state level as chair-elect/treasurer of the WVHA, chair of the WVHA HOSPAC Committee, a member of the WVHA Legislative Committee, and past chair and now member-at-large of the Critical Access Hospital Network. He has been active in his community as chair of the Upshur County Economic Development Corporation, with the Lions Club, the United Way, Boy Scouts of America, St. Joseph’s Youth Ministry, the Knights of Columbus, and was a founder of the Holy Rosary Parish Men’s Group. In 2019, the Buckhannon-Upshur Chamber of Commerce named Gjolberg its Business Man of the Year.
Grant Memorial Hospital, a not-for-profit, critical access hospital owned by the Grant County Commission and operated by the Board of Trustees, serves the valley of the Potomac Highlands, which includes Grant, Hardy, Pendleton, Hampshire, and Mineral counties. The Hospital has a combined 25 licensed inpatient beds and is supported by more than 350 employees and a medical staff of over 15.
“As Grant County’s largest employer, Grant Memorial Hospital has been a pillar of our community for generations,” Scotty Miley, president of the Grant County Commission, said. “We look forward to working with Skip to ensure the Hospital remains successful.”
Gjolberg’s appointment comes nearly three months after Grant Memorial Hospital and the WVU Health System signed a letter of intent for the Hospital to join the Health System. The parties anticipate the closing to occur next year, upon receipt of all necessary governmental approvals.
“I’m excited about Skip’s appointment and the enthusiasm he’ll bring to Grant Memorial Hospital,” Albert L. Wright, Jr., president and CEO of the WVU Health System, said. “His proven leadership and success at running similar hospitals will be critical as we continue to work with the County Commission and the Board of Trustees on the details of our longer-term relationship.”
