HUNTSVILLE, Alabama — Huntsville Hospital Health System CEO David Spillers has informed the organization he will retire in July 2021 after holding the position since 2006.
Health Care Authority Governing Board Chairman Philip Bentley said Spiller has led the health system to "unparalleled growth and success."
“It has been a great ride but it’s time to do some things that I have not taken the time to do while working.” said Spillers. “I have been privileged over the past 33 years to work in healthcare during a period of incredible changes and challenges. None have been bigger than the pandemic that we face today. Our team has performed incredibly well and I am confident that we will ultimately win this battle. We’ve served our community for 125 years but there is more work to be done. I am also blessed to work with what I consider to be the best leadership team and the best board that any health system could have. I can step away knowing that what we have built here will continue to thrive and grow.”
Spillers says he intends to stay in Huntsville with his wife following his retirement.
"Cindy and I love Huntsville. It’s our home now. Running a system like ours consumes most of your time. I look forward to having more time to do the things I have put off for many years," Spillers said.
In his 15-year tenure in Huntsville, Spillers' accomplished much, including the 2012 opening of Madison Hospital and the rapid development of the health system, which now has hospitals across North Alabama and is affiliated with other hospitals in the Tennessee Valley.
Huntsville Hospital Health System employs more than 15,000 people, making it among the top five largest publicly-owned health systems in the nation.
Jeff Samz, the health system's executive vice president and COO will assume Spillers' position upon retirement, Bentley announced.
“We have the utmost confidence in Jeff. He is well prepared to lead our organization. We know him and trust that under his leadership we will continue to excel,” Bentley said.
“You can’t find a more qualified person to be the next CEO of this system,” Spillers said. “I am happy for the organization and for Jeff that he will succeed me.”
Samz's hospital administration career spans 28 years, including 12 in Huntsville. Previously, Samz has worked at Vanderbilt Health, Duck Health and Mission Health.
Samz currently also serves as the secretary-treasurer of the Huntsville-Madison County Chamber of Commerce Board and the secretary-treasurer of the U.S. Space and Rocket Center Foundation Board. Additionally, he is a former member of the United Way board of directors.
Samz graduated from the Unversity of North Carolina in 1992 and earned his Master of Business Administration degree from Wake Forest University in 1999.