Kelly Mather To Leave SVH CEO Role

July 15, 2020

It is with mixed emotions that I share with you news of Kelly Mather’s pending departure as the CEO of Sonoma Valley Hospital. Kelly has accepted a new position as the CEO of BayHealth, which is one of the early and important joint ventures between UCSF Health and John Muir Health, and also important in the development of essential infrastructure to support the growth of the Canopy Health Network of which our hospital is a part.

Kelly has successfully served as the CEO of Sonoma Valley Hospital for the past 10 years and has led and overseen a great deal of progress for our hospital during that time. Although facing major challenges and some difficult decisions during her tenure, SVH is now in a much stronger position, thanks to Kelly’s leadership. Her accomplishments are many and notably include much needed improvements in the hospital’s physical plant, including the 2014 opening of a state-of-the-art Emergency Department and Surgery Suite, thanks to the generosity of our donor community. Now, with another successful Capital Campaign coming to a conclusion, our new Outpatient Diagnostic Center will soon provide the highest levels of diagnostic technology available in the North Bay. 

Under her leadership, the hospital has recruited new physicians, both in primary and specialty care, opened two specialist clinics in the City of Sonoma, and achieved Acute Stroke Ready Certification in the Emergency Department. The hospital also has achieved and maintained a 4 Star rating from Medicare which testifies to the high level of quality and safety provided.

Another of Kelly’s accomplishments is the facilitation of a strong partnership with UCSF Health, with further integration underway. UCSF plans to use SVH as its outpatient center in the North Bay, and will provide access to additional specialty clinics/physicians in the near future so that residents in our community can receive specialty care closer to home.

My emotions are mixed because I’ve worked so collaboratively with Kelly during my two terms on the Board, including three years as Board Chair. I, along with the Board, have been impressed with her high standards, hard work, strong leadership, overall excellence and passion for health and healing. It is difficult to see her leave SVH, but I’m pleased that she has found a wonderful and challenging new opportunity with BayHealth.  

Kelly will assist with the transition to a successor. She will begin her new role at BayHealth half-time on September 1, and will remain half-time with SVH until January 1, 2021, when she will join BayHealth full-time. A search will commence shortly for Kelly’s successor, and of course the Board is committed to finding the best candidate to build upon Kelly’s many contributions to the health of our community. And in addition, Kelly has developed a strong leadership team which will ensure the hospital will continue to serve the community with the same high level of care.

Sincerely,

Jane

Jane Hirsch
Chair of the SVHCD Board of Directors