New CEO optimistic about role leading hospital
The last four years have been a turbulent period for Watsonville Community Hospital. In 2019, it was sold to Halsen Healthcare, then he COVID-19 pandemic hit not long after, followed by the hospital nearly closing amid bankruptcy in 2021 to being rescued by legislation that resulted in the formation of the Pajaro Valley Healthcare District to allow the 128-year-old hospital to continue operating.
Nonetheless, new CEO Stephen Gray is hoping to weather that storm as he steps into his new position Nov. 1. He was officially appointed by the Board of Directors on Wednesday in a 4-1 vote — with only Joe Gallagher dissenting, citing the high
cost of the compensation package — to succeed interim CEO Matko Vranjes, who in turn assumed
the title from Stephen Sayler who resigned in March.
“I'm honored the board has shown the confidence in me to take over this really important role and this incredibly important health care asset in this community,” he told local reporters Thursday. “This community really needs and deserves a wonderful hospital and wonderful health care system.”
Gray was born and raised in Massachusetts where he said his family religion was Boston sports, particularly the Red Sox, and he even continues to play in an adult baseball league and coach his son in Little League. His other longtime interest has been medicine.
“I thought I wanted to be a doctor (but) realized that the sight of blood was not my favorite thing,” he said.
However, Gray said he really enjoyed taking psychology classes as well as listening to