The Road Ahead

When I became CEO of NorthBay Healthcare I had just turned 33, and everyone was older than me. Time ticked by, and with it an unsettling feeling has started to grow. You see, 35 years later, most everyone is younger.

Although that was not the pivotal reason, I realized it was time for me to hand over the reins and spend some time on other interests. It was not, however, a decision easily made.

After all, I was here when we launched our first keynote medical service, our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in 1985. And I felt like I had given birth—not that I can ever appreciate what that is truly like—when we opened NorthBay VacaValley Hospital in 1987.

There also were some critical milestones I wanted to ensure were met before I stepped down from leading this wonderful, community-focused health system:

  • Earning membership in the acclaimed Mayo Clinic Care Network;
  • Opening the VacaValley Wellness Center on our Vacaville campus;
  • Unveiling HealthSpring, our new medical fitness center;
  • Relocating the NorthBay Cancer Center; and
  • Breaking ground on a “hospital of the future,” the modernization of NorthBay Medical Center in Fairfield.

With that checklist complete, my attention quickly turned to a smooth transition to the next generation of leadership.

When I ride off into the sunset (maybe on a beach somewhere) at the end of March, I will be confident that, despite what challenges lie ahead in America’s health care future, this organization will be able to overcome the obstacles and remain the leader in Solano County and beyond.

It’s all about the people. And we have a competent, compassionate, laser-focused team to care for you on your journey—from preventive care to primary care to emergency care to hospital stay to returning home.

I am but one of nearly 2,650 proud NorthBay Healthcare professionals who are bringing new and advanced medicine to Solano County. And no one, I believe, is prouder today of what we have become.

In this issue of Wellspring we’ll tell you—from A to Z—about how we care for our community. Please enjoy.

Gary Passama

President and Chief Executive Officer

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