After the hospital system’s CEO announced his retirement in November, Community Health said Monday that its executive vice president will take over the top role.

On Feb. 3, Craig Wagoner will take the helm of the region’s largest hospital system, which includes the only Level I Trauma hospital from L.A. to Sacramento, according to a message from board President Roger Sturdevant.

Most recently, Wagoner served as executive vice president and chief operating officer going back to April 2020. The message said Wagoner’s appointment was part of the organization’s succession plan.

“Craig is fiercely committed to advancing healthcare in our region and fulfilling our mission to better the lives of all those we serve,” said Sturdevant. “We are incredibly fortunate to have someone as uniquely equipped as Craig to take the helm, build on our accomplishments, and lead our great organization to new heights of success.”

Wagoner Oversaw Expansion at Downtown and Clovis Hospitals

Wagoner joined Community Health nearly 18 years ago, serving as chief operating officer for Community Regional Medical Center, then CEO for the downtown hospital. He later became CEO of both the downtown hospital and Clovis Community before his promotion to executive vice president.

“Although Craig’s vast experience made him an appealing CEO candidate to health systems across the nation, Community is his passion and his home,” Sturdevant said in his message.

As CEO at Community Regional, Wagoner oversaw the expansion of the five-story medical office building at the downtown campus. He also helped guide Clovis Community’s expansion when he joined that hospital in 2007.