Gary K. Wilde
Gary K. Wilde is President and CEO of Community Memorial Health System (CMHS), a regional health system of two hospitals of 345 beds and a network of ambulatory care centers with over 300,000 annual patient visits. He has served in that capacity for thirteen years. CMHS serves patients in western Ventura County, a California coastal community between Santa Barbara and Los Angeles. CMH is the region’s market leader with the broadest range of acute care and ambulatory care services. Prior to joining CMHS, Gary was the Chief Operating Officer for Cottage Health System in Santa Barbara, CA for 22 years. His early work experience was with St. Luke’s Hospital, Phoenix, AZ and Bristol Myers (Squibb), Syracuse, NY.
He serves on a number boards within and outside the healthcare industry. He served as Chair of the Hospital Association of Southern California, and currently serves as trustee of the California Hospital Association, and a member of the board of Vizient West Coast Board. He is a trustee of Blood Systems, Inc., and serves on the board of Creative Testing Solutions. Gary also served on the Greater Ventura Chamber of Commerce board, and served as its 2010 chair. He is a board member of the Ventura County Council, Boy Scouts of America.
He received a Bachelor of Arts (Chemistry, Zoology, German) from Brigham Young University, a Masters in Health Services Administration from Arizona State University School of Business, and a Doctor of Health Administration from Medical University of South Carolina. He is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.
He and his wife Cheryl reside in rural Somis, CA. They are empty nesters, but remain in constant contact with the five children. When not at work, Gary relaxes as a “gentleman farmer” growing tangerines, avocados, berries and grapes.