Don Casey has announced his resignation as CEO of the West Wireless Health Center after two years leading the San Diego non-profit founded by billionaire entrepreneurs Gary and Mary West. Casey is leaving to join an unnamed company to continue the fight against the rising costs of health care as a member of the business community, though he will retain his position on the Institute’s board of directors. The staff of the West Wireless Insitute only heard the news from Gary West at 2PM yesterday, March 16.
“We believe that the cost of health care is the most pressing issue facing the country today,” said Gary West, Founder and Chairman of the West Wireless Health Institute. “Throughout Don’s tenure over the course of the last two years, we have built an effective and capable organization at the Institute, including the recruitment of a world-class management team. We have also launched related organizations, including the West Health Policy Center and the West Health Investment Fund, all aimed at lowering the cost of health care. We are grateful for Don’s service during this foundational period.” Read the last in-depth iMedicalApps interview with Don Casey here.
“In addition to our top-notch management team, we have an outstanding Board of Directors and have already initiated a search for a new CEO. Based on the enthusiasm and caliber of our top candidates thus far for this position, we have no doubt this is one of the premier jobs in the health care sector. We are optimistic that an exceptional successor will be named soon,” said West. “While we of course would have preferred not to lose Don, we are heartened that his experience with us in creating and promoting low cost health care solutions will help to influence the decision-making of a major health care company and catalyze the industry’s focus on the urgency of the cost problem.”
“I have been extremely fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with Gary and Mary West and the entire West Health team to build an outstanding organization,” said Casey. “All of America should be grateful to Gary and Mary for their commitment to lowering the cost of health care in this country. In my new role, I will focus on bringing novel, cost-effective solutions to the health care marketplace, so I am pleased to be carrying on the important work of West Health.”
“I am deeply committed to lowering the cost of health care,” said Casey. “My tenure as CEO of this one-of-a-kind Institute has provided me a unique opportunity to dive into this national issue in great depth and has strengthened my belief in the Institute’s important mission. I look forward to bringing to the business community a fresh perspective on providing cost-effective health care solutions to the public.”
