HOISINGTON —Chuck Waters, president and chief executive officer of Clara Barton Hospital and Clinics, has announced his plans to retire effective Dec. 31 after 38 years of hospital administration.

"I have been incredibly blessed to work for this wonderful hospital," said Waters. "The Board of Directors here is extremely dedicated to this Hospital and our community. They willingly devote huge amounts of personal time to help this hospital continue to provide quality healthcare for Hoisington and the surrounding communities.

"We have high quality physicians and physician assistants seeing patients at the Clara Barton Medical Clinic. Our Hospital and Clinics are staffed with highly trained and dedicated employees who provide high quality patient healthcare," he said.

Waters has served as President and CEO for Clara Barton Hospital and Medical Clinics for the past four years. He said this about his future plans, "I have decided that it is time for me to take a different path. I told the Board of Directors when I came here that my plan was to work four to five years and retire. I know I will miss working, but I am looking forward to spending more time with my wife, working with her in a church ministry, and playing a little golf."

"I have truly enjoyed working with so many wonderful people," he said. "I will continue to ask God to bless this organization and everyone affiliated with it."

"Chuck has been an extraordinary leader for the Hospital and Clinics. We are extremely grateful and proud of this institution and what Mr. Waters has contributed. We wish Chuck and Susan all the very best as they begin the next chapter in their lives", said John Radke, chair of the Clara Barton Hospital Board of Directors.

"While we regret his decision we can only offer a most grateful expression of thanks and respect for his wishes for more personal time," said Radke.

"Choosing the next CEO is undoubtedly the most important decision the Board of Directors has to make," Radke said. "The Board of trustees will conduct a search for a successor to Mr. Waters. It is our goal to put in place the strongest possible leadership for the hospital for the years ahead."