Steve Altmiller, president and CEO of WVU Medicine Camden Clark Medical Center, speaks to hospital staff at a retirement ceremony on Wednesday. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)
PARKERSBURG – Steve Altmiller has developed a true sense of community in the Mid-Ohio Valley during his six and a half years as president and CEO of WVU Medicine Camden Clark Medical Center.
Wednesday was Altmiller’s last day at the hospital and many hospital staff and citizens gathered at the medical center’s South Tower Café to say goodbye and wish him well in his upcoming retirement.
“This is the best hospital I have ever worked in,” he said.It’s the best group of people I’ve ever worked with.
“Everyone has done their best to make this hospital better.”
Altmiller spoke about the sense of community he has experienced across the state and the Mid-Ohio Valley since arriving at the hospital in 2018.
Steve Altmiller, president and CEO of WVU Medicine Camden Clark Medical Center, speaks to well-wishers at a retirement ceremony at the medical center on Wednesday. Altmiller, who served as the hospital’s chief for 6 1/2 years, is stepping down and retiring. He will join his family in Texas, where he plans to teach at the university and spend time with his three grandchildren. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)
“The people of West Virginia are the best and the staff here is fantastic, friendly and competent,” said Altmiller. “I’m just going to miss this place.”
He spoke about the COVID pandemic and how many in the community stepped up and made masks for the hospital and how others stepped up and provided the hospital with the supplies it needed. He spoke about how the staff welcomed him warmly everywhere he went in the hospital.
Altmiller praised hospital staff for stepping in when people in the community needed them.
“They have hard jobs and always give back to the community,” said Altmiller. “This has been so rewarding. Thank you for allowing me to be your CEO and for all the success you have achieved over the last seven years.”
During his time as president and CEO, Altmiller worked closely with Camden Clark’s leadership team to expand the hospital’s range of services, increase its medical staff and increase the hospital’s presence in the community. Most recently, Camden Clark Medical Center’s new Southgate Medical Complex opened in south Parkersburg in September of last year, hospital officials said.
Steve Altmiller, president and CEO of WVU Medicine Camden Clark Medical Center, speaks to hospital staff at a retirement ceremony Wednesday. Altmiller is retiring and leaving the Mid-Ohio Valley after 6 ½ years leading the local medical center. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)
New President and CEO Sean Smith praised everyone who came to wish Altmiller well.
“It is a reflection of what Steve meant to the hospital,” said Smith.
Altmiller’s influence on the organization was “immense” since arriving at the hospital in 2018, he said.
It was a difficult and challenging time as the hospital lost money and tried to define itself and its role within the WVU Medical System, Smith said.
“Steve came and really challenged our way of thinking and revolutionized our approach,” he said. “It was simple, but it was a transformation.
Steve Altmiller (center), president and CEO of WVU Medicine Camden Clark Medical Center, speaks with colleagues, including Kyle Pierson, Camden Clark’s chief financial officer, and incoming president and CEO Sean Smith, during a retirement party for Altmiller held at the hospital on Wednesday. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)
“It was about moving away from focusing on the things we cannot control and focusing on the things we can control.”
Altmiller took a positive approach to running the hospital, placing great emphasis on the impact decisions had on employees and medical staff.
“We often see the results of the decisions that leaders make,” said Smith. “It is not always clear to us how politicians reach their decisions.”
Smith commented on the enormous influence Altmiller had on him.
“Professionally, Steve was my greatest mentor,” he said. “I can’t thank him enough for everything he meant to me and what he meant to our community and our organization.
Steve Altmiller, president and CEO of WVU Medicine Camden Clark Medical Center, poses with some cakes during a retirement party held in his honor at the hospital on Wednesday. Altmiller has served as president and CEO for the past 6 ½ years, which brought a number of changes, most recently the opening of the new Southgate Medical Complex in south Parkersburg last September. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)
“We will all feel these effects for a long time to come.”
Altmiller praised Smith, saying the staff and community would be proud of the new leader.
“Sean has done everything we asked of him and in a great way,” he said. “I leave you in good hands.
“He’s a world-class leader. He’s going to take this place to the next level.”
Altmiller said he will soon travel to Texas to join his wife in the League City area south of Houston, where their daughter lives with her three grandchildren.
He is working on his doctorate in education and will complete it in December. He also wants to teach at a university, as there are several universities in the area.
Altmiller repeatedly praised the staff at Camden Clark for the care they provide to the Mid-Ohio Valley.
“It was a great team,” he said. “Keep finding things you can improve and keep challenging yourself.”
“Keep up the great work.”
Brett Dunlap can be reached at [email protected].
