Photo by RUTHIE’S IN HIS IMAGE PHOTOGRAPHY

During a special meeting held Friday, July 21, the Harney County Health District Board of Directors unanimously voted to extend an offer to Catherine White to serve as Interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the Health District for one year. In this role, White will oversee Harney District Hospital (HDH) and all of its affiliated entities.

White will take the reins from current CEO Dan Grigg, who recently announced that he is moving to Enterprise, Ore. to accept the CEO position at Wallowa County Health District. Grigg’s last day at HDH will be Sept. 1, and he is committed to working with White to ensure a smooth transition.

White has lived in Harney County and worked for HDH for the past 21 years. She has served as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for the past 14 years, and is a key member of the hospital’s current administrative team. She has a Master of Business Administration degree with an emphasis in healthcare administration as well as a Rural Hospital Chief Executive Officer Certification through the National Office of Rural Health.

In a letter to the board, White wrote, “Our health district is vitally important to the community, and as a longtime community member, I am fully committed to its continued success.”

Now that the interim CEO position has been filled, the board will focus its energy toward recruiting for the permanent position. The board agreed that the interim CEO could also be a candidate for the permanent position.