Spencer, IA (KICD)– Spencer Hospital is in the process of finding a new President and CEO following an announcement on Thursday that Bill Bumgarner plans to retire later this year.

Board of Trustees President Julie Christensen tells KICD News the initial search actually began last summer when Bumgarner noted his plans to step away by the end of 2023.

Christensen says the current plan is to conduct a national search for the next President and CEO of Spencer Hospital taking a number of qualifications into account including someone that can guide the hospital through the addition of the new Emergency Department.

There is no specific timetable in place for when a new leader will be hired other than Christensen noting the hope is to have someone in place before Bumgarner retires at the end of December.