MultiCare Health System Board announces new CEO

The MultiCare Health System Board of Directors announced today that William G. “Bill” Robertson will serve as the new President and Chief Executive Officer beginning May 1.

The appointment follows a comprehensive, national search by a Search Committee of the Board that began last fall, when longtime MultiCare President and CEO Diane Cecchettini, RN, announced her plans to retire.

Since 2000, Robertson has served as President and CEO at Adventist HealthCare Inc. based in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Prior to Adventist, Robertson served as CEO of Shawnee Mission Medical Center near Kansas City.

“We are delighted that Bill is joining our organization. He is a high-caliber leader who will further advance MultiCare’s mission of providing quality health care to the communities we serve,” said John Folsom, Chairman of the MultiCare Health System Board of Directors. “These are challenging times in health care, but we believe we have found a strong leader who will guide MultiCare through the changes ahead. Bill Robertson brings an impressive record of stewardship, community involvement and innovation to MultiCare.”

“MultiCare is a wonderful organization with strong values, a legacy of good stewardship, and a bright future. It is a privilege to be asked to join the MultiCare team,” Robertson said, “and I look forward to working with MultiCare’s employees, physicians and community to create the healthy future that the organization and the community deserve.”

“We are very grateful to Diane Cecchettini for her outstanding leadership and service,” said Folsom of the retiring CEO.

Cecchettini joined MultiCare in 1989 and became President and CEO in 1999. During her time at MultiCare, she won numerous regional, state and national awards for her leadership in the health care industry, including the Joe Hopkins Memorial Award from the Washington State Hospital Association.

MultiCare is a not-for-profit, locally based health care system comprising four adult hospitals, one pediatric hospital and a network of primary, specialty and urgent care clinics. MultiCare is the largest private employer in Pierce County and one of the largest health systems in the South Sound.

MultiCare Health System is governed by a volunteer board of community leaders.