Velinda Stevens, president of Kalispell (Mont.) Regional Healthcare, died early Sunday morning after a prolonged battle with cancer, KRH Board Chairman Curtis Lund announced.
"We've lost a visionary leader, and the people of Montana have lost one of their most passionate healthcare advocates," said Mr. Lund. "Those of us who had the good fortune of knowing and working with Velinda will miss our treasured friend and inspiring mentor. She leaves behind an incredible legacy that will impact this community and this organization for years to come."
Mr. Lund said KRH is confident the transition of leadership will have minimal disturbance to the operations of the organization and not disrupt patient care. As part of the hospital board's policy for transitioning leadership in the case of an immediate vacancy of the president's position, Mr. Lund will assume many of Ms. Stevens' responsibilities as interim CEO while the board conducts a formal search for her successor.
Ms. Stevens' family has established The Velinda Stevens Endowment for Women and Children through the Kalispell Regional Healthcare Foundation to support her vision for the expansion of these healthcare services.
"We are grateful for the outpouring of support from the Kalispell Regional Healthcare family and from those across the State of Montana," said a family representative, according to a hospital news release. "Velinda loved this community, and it's humbling to know how much this community loved her in return. Thank you for respecting our privacy at this time as we cope with her loss."