Keener resigns; Slaybaugh named hospital CEO

POMEROY–Mat Slaybaugh will serve as the Garfield County Hospital District (GCHD) CEO following the resignation of Co-Chief Executive Officer Jayd Keener, the GCHD announced this week. The leadership change will be effective August 1, 2024.

Keener resigns the position after five years of dedicated service as Co-CEO, the news release indicated. She made the challenging decision to leave the executive position, but will remain as Director of Nursing Services.

The GCHD Board of Commissioners appointed fellow Co-CEO, Mat Slaybaugh, as full CEO, and superintendent at a special board meeting held on July 8, 2024.

"It has come time in both my personal and professional life that I need to make a pivot in how I am able to give my best to the facility, staff, patients, community, and my family," said Keener. "I have no plans of leaving GCHD and am excited about being back in the clinical side of things more which is what drives me and truly makes me happy."

GCHD is fortunate to retain Keener's expertise and leadership, the news release stated. During her five years as Co-CEO, she helped lead the district out of some tumultuous times and through a global pandemic, making her continued service a true asset to the organization.

"I'm glad to still have Jayd in the building as I step up to the full CEO role," said Slaybaugh. "I'm excited to keep building on the great progress we have made over the last five years. We have a lot of exciting things happening at GHCD, like our new dialysis program, electrical improvement project, future imaging suite project, and a new family practice physician starting in August. I remain committed to making GCHD an organization our community is proud of as we provide for the health care needs of Garfield County."

Garfield County Hospital District appreciates the partnership and support the community continues to give to the local medical entity.