After eight successful years of leading major growth and health initiatives for the not-for-profit Beaufort Memorial Hospital (BMH), President and CEO Rick Toomey announced he is leaving his position at the end of 2016.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my eight-plus years working as the leader of this incredible organization,” Toomey said. “It has been an honor to work with the medical staff, employees, volunteers and leaders of Beaufort Memorial, and I could not be prouder of the work we’ve accomplished together during my tenure.”

Toomey joined BMH in November 2007 after serving 18 years as executive vice president and, later, president of Rocky Mount, N.C.-based Nash Health Care System.

Under his leadership the hospital has seen tremendous growth in both providers and services. Among his accomplishments were the establishment of a robotic surgery program; the opening of a Wound Care Center; the renovations and expansions of both the Pratt Emergency Center and Intensive Care Unit; the opening of the Women’s Imaging Center; the development of a nationally designated Joint Replacement Center; the development of an interventional cardiology program; plans for a full renovation and expansion of the Collins Birthing Center, and the explosive growth of Beaufort Memorial Physician Partners, the hospital-owned practices and providers that now number 12 and 45, respectively.

“Rick has been a tremendous leader whose experience in both hospital administration and health care consulting has paid dividends to Beaufort Memorial and the community at large,” said BMH Board of Trustees Chair Terry Murray. Rick’s integrity, compassion and dedication to our patients have been unwavering,” said Murray. “His shoes will, no doubt, be hard to fill,” she added.

“Not only was my time working with Rick as Chief of Staff an honor and pleasure. From the very first day he made his door open to me speaks volumes about his commitment to relationship building and teamwork,” Dr. Chad Tober, board-certified vascular surgeon said. “His leadership during the past eight years has led to greater physician engagement and underscores his respect for the medical community.”

“Rick’s education, experience, knowledge of health care issues and his proven track record as a strong leader were all reasons we hired him in 2007,” said former BMH Board Chairman Bill Paddock. “When he was hired we wanted to raise the bar at our hospital – do more and do better. I believe he has positioned our hospital to continue to serve its patients and meet its mission to improve the health of the community.”

He and his wife, Dr. Linda Hawes, a board-certified nephrologist who works as a hospitalist at BMH, plan to stay in the Beaufort community, which they consider to be their home.