Cleveland Clinic Akron General CEO and president Dr. Thomas “Tim” Stover announced his immediate retirement Thursday, hospital spokeswoman Stephanie York confirmed.
Janice Murphy, the chief operating officer for Cleveland Clinic Regional Operations, will step in as temporary president while a search is conducted.
“It wasn’t unexpected,” York said of Stover’s retirement. “I just think it was a little sooner than expected.”
Stover signed a contract at the end of 2014 that secured his position as the hospital’s top role through the end of 2017.
York said Stover’s goal was to get the hospital through integration with the Cleveland Clinic, but once he did, he planned on retiring to spend more time with his grandchildren.
“He’s been telling people that all along,” York said.
“He wanted to make sure Akron General remained a strong asset in the community. He’s been instrumental in this integration.”
“I am very grateful for having had the opportunity to work for such an exceptional organization as Akron General and wish to thank the employees, my leadership team, all Board members and the Akron community for such incredible support over the years to make Akron General what it is today,” Stover said in a prepared statement. “Now, as part of the Cleveland Clinic, I am confident in the organization’s future success and growth for generations to come.”
Stover announced his retirement to leadership, boards and physicians in group meetings, and then to the rest of employees by the end of the day.
Stover had served as president and chief executive of Akron General Health System since February 2012.
At the time, he agreed to stay through the end of 2014 — Akron General’s 100th anniversary — even though he had been planning to retire before accepting the leadership post.
In December 2014, he signed a three-year contract to continue leading Akron General through 2017.
When he took the contract extension, Stover said he wanted to continue to lead the health system as it joined forces with the Cleveland Clinic.
Stover held various leadership positions with Akron General since joining the organization in 1993. Prior to his appointment as president and CEO, Stover served as Akron General’s president of outpatient services from 2010 to 2012.
Previous leadership roles included senior vice president of medical affairs and chief medical officer, president and chief executive of the health system’s physician group practice and medical director of Akron General Medical Center’s care management program.
Stover received his bachelor of science and doctor degrees from West Virginia University.
He also received an MBA from the University of Tennessee.
He completed his residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Akron City Hospital, now part of Summa Health System. He also served as a major in the U.S. Air Force for two years.
Theresa Cottom can be reached at 330-996-3216 or tcottom@thebeaconjournal.com.