MASSENA —Robert Wolleben has resigned as the chief executive officer of Massena Memorial Hospital.

The Board of Managers has named Ann Gilpin as interim CEO in his place.

The announcement was made by the Town of Massena. MMH is owned by the Town of Massena and managed by the Board of Managers of Massena Memorial Hospital.

Supervisor Steve O’Shaughnessy said in a statement, “We wish Bob well in his future endeavors. We will continue to stay on course to privatize the hospital, preserve jobs and continue to have this hospital serve the residents of Massena. We were incredibly fortunate to find Ann on short notice and are thrilled we have the opportunity to work with her as the interim superintendent.”

Gilpin was previously the president and CEO of Oswego Health System in Oswego, from 2007 until 2015 and prior to that was the president and CEO of Jones Memorial Hospital in Wellsville.

"It is with heartfelt regret that the Board of Managers accepted the resignation of Bob Wolleben,” said MMH Board of Managers Chairman Scott Wilson.

"During his 3 1/2 year tenure as CEO, Bob has proven himself to be an extremely capable and dedicated healthcare administrator, whose focus on patient safety was always a top priority,” Wilson said. “He has worked tirelessly with the hospital staff, senior team and Board to ensure that Massena Memorial Hospital continues its path to privatization and to be a beacon for the improved health of our community well into the future. We wish him and his wife, Mary all the best in the next chapter of their retired lives,” he said.