Connecticut Children’s Medical Center CEO Martin J. Gavin will retire by year’s end, the hospital announced Friday.
Gavin, 65, will continue in his position until the hospital chooses a successor. The Connecticut Children’s board of directors has formed a search committee and said it is conducting a national search for Gavin’s replacement.
In a statement, the hospital credited Gavin with a 60 percent increase in patient visits since 2006 — the result of adding facilities in Farmington, Glastonbury, Waterbury and Fairfield County during his tenure.
Connecticut Children’s posted an $18.1 million deficit for the fiscal year ended Sept. 30, 2014. That was up from a $17.5 million deficit the year before.
Connecticut Children’s is the only freestanding children’s hospital in the state.
In January, the state’s Finance Advisory Committee approved a special transfer of $10 million to the hospital to help shore up its finances, which have suffered from a growing Medicaid patient population.
Gavin, a former board chair at Connecticut Children’s, previously worked for the Phoenix Cos. for 16 years.
“I’ve always said that I have the best job in the world; it’s truly been a gift,” Gavin said in a statement. “But after nine years, it’s time for me to move on and let a new generation of leadership continue to advance our mission of caring for children and families.”
U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal released released a statement Friday saying Gavin has provided him with valuable guidance on children’s health-related matters.
“His leadership and expertise have helped establish CCMC has one of the leading children’s hospitals in the nation — saving and bettering the lives of countless Connecticut children,” Blumenthal said.
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