PRMC's Skabelund says it's time for a change

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Hoyt Skabelund’s departure as administrator at Plains Regional Medical Center may seem sudden, but it’s a move he said Tuesday that he and his family have contemplated for at least a year.

Skabelund, 44, said while he isn’t sure what his next career move will be, he is excited at the prospect.

“I’m so sad to leave the employees and the medical staff,” said Skabelund. “This was my decision ... mine and my family, my wife and daughter.”

Skabelund said he has a job offer elsewhere. He added that he is still trying to decide if he wants to move on and manage another hospital in another community or remain in Clovis as a health care consultant, traveling across the state and country.link Skabelund

PRMC administrator for eight years

“Right now,” Skabelund said, “the focus is on deciding what I want to do next. I don’t really know. But it was time for a change, to do something different.”

Skabelund spent 18 years with PRMC’s parent organization, Presbyterian Healthcare Services — eight of those as the man in charge of PRMC. His resignation was announced Monday. His last day is July 18.

Paul Briggs, Presbyterian’s executive vice president and chief operating officer, said the next step for PRMC is to focus on replacing Skabelund. Briggs said he was unsure how long the process might take.

Bo Beames, Presbyterian’s vice president for regional operations, will fill the role on an interim basis.

“One of the fortunate things,” said Briggs, “is Hoyt has done a terrific job in assembling a very strong leadership team at the hospital.” And because of that, Briggs said, he is expecting a smooth transition for PRMC and Clovis until a new administrator can be found.

Briggs said the search for a new administrator could be quick if a suitable candidate steps forward at PRMC or elsewhere in the Presbyterian system. He said Beames has not indicated an interest in the job.

If the search turns into a national one, Briggs said, finding a replacement for Skabelund could take as long as six to nine months.