HONOLULU – Art Ushijima, president and CEO of The Queen’s Health System, announced today he will be retiring in January 2020 after nearly 30 years of service. Over the next 18 months, The Queen’s Health System will celebrate Ushijima’s remarkable legacy and prepare for a seamless leadership transition.
“The most rewarding achievement of my time at Queen’s has been working alongside our top health care professionals to advance our shared vision for Hawai‘i,” said Ushijima. “With all the innovations implemented and transformations we’ve overseen, our singular goal has remained the same: A healthy and well cared-for community.”
Over the past 30 years, Ushijima has skillfully led the organization while fulfilling the mission of Queen Emma and King Kamehameha IV to improve the well-being of Native Hawaiians and all of the people of Hawai‘i. Ushijima will leave a profound legacy at the oldest and most preeminent family of hospitals and health care companies in Hawai‘i.
“Queen’s has grown tremendously under Art’s leadership, adding new services, programs, and hospitals to ensure it serves the community with excellence and care,” said Jenai Wall, chair of the board of trustees for The Queen’s Health System. “But perhaps what is most impressive is Art’s unending commitment to support the mission of the King and Queen and bring it to life in so many meaningful ways.”
The organization’s board of trustees has established a search committee and engaged preeminent talent consulting firm Korn Ferry to begin the process to select the next CEO. After decades of successful service to the Founders’ vision, Ushijima feels this is the right time for the organization to transition with fresh approaches and perspectives, and he has great confidence in the Queen’s ‘ohana. Upon his retirement in 2020, Ushijima looks forward to spending time travelling with his wife Ruth.
“The board of trustees is committed to ensuring Queen’s will continue to evolve and grow while serving as a pillar of health and outstanding patient care in our community,” added Wall. “The new CEO will be selected and on-boarded with a goal of continuing – and building upon – the remarkable legacy of our ali‘i founders.”
A rigorous internal and external search to find the best candidate to continue to build on the Queen’s legacy and lead the organization into its next era will commence immediately. The board of trustees and Ushijima are committed to a smooth transition and service to the Hawai‘i community, and a comprehensive transition period will be included as part of the succession process. During the search and transition period, operations throughout The Queen’s Health System will continue as always. The search for a new CEO will not impact service or patient care in any way.
