Robert Norton, president of North Shore Medical Center in Salem, Mass., plans to retire at the end of 2016, The Salem News reports.
He told The Salem News he has been thinking about retiring for about a year.
"The reason is 40 some years in this business and a desire to have time in my life when I'm still young enough to enjoy my days," Mr. Norton told the publication. "My future goal is to be the best grandfather in the free world."
Mr. Norton's retirement announcement comes as NSMC, part of Boston-based Partners HealthCare, plans to expand Salem Hospital and eventually close Union Hospital in Lynn, Mass., according to the report. NSMC also recently closed Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Salem and plans to close and consolidate Salem Hospital's cardiac surgery program with Massachusetts General Hospital's in Boston.
Mr. Norton has led NSMC since 2002. Prior to that, he worked in executive and management roles at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and New England Baptist Hospital, both in Boston; Rhode Island Hospital in Providence; and Shands Jacksonville (Fla.) Medical Center, according to the report.
Mr. Norton's retirement takes effect Dec. 31.