Health & Wellness
Transition to begin in January 2026 with Spence Fisher taking on role of President
January 7, 2026 – Memorial Health today announced that Chip Hubbs, President/CEO, will retire in January 2027 with 23 years of dedicated service. For the past nine months, Memorial’s Board of Trustees has been working in collaboration with Hubbs and outside experts to identify those characteristics deemed most important for Memorial’s next CEO. That process resulted in a transition plan that sees Hubbs continuing to serve Memorial as CEO through 2026. As part of that plan, Spence Fisher, current Executive Vice President, has taken on the role of President of Memorial Health, and will become President/CEO upon Hubbs’ retirement.
Reflecting on his tenure, Hubbs shared, “Serving Memorial and our community with our team members and medical staff has been the honor of my career. The time feels right to step away, spend more time with family and friends, and do some things I have always wanted to do. I am deeply grateful for the trust placed in me and proud of what the Memorial Health team has accomplished together.”
Hubbs, who is 54, has led Memorial through significant growth, including the soon-to-be open Memorial Jerome Medical Center and the recently announced $56 million Emergency Department renovation and expansion scheduled to break ground later this year. “Chip’s leadership, commitment to community, and vision for advancing healthcare have left a lasting impact on the region,” shares Emily Wieringa, Memorial Health Board of Trustees Chair.
The Memorial Health Board of Trustees, after extensive succession planning and consultation with national consulting experts at Lotis Blue, unanimously selected Fisher as the next President/CEO. He has been instrumental in Memorial’s business development, bringing new services, physicians, and facilities to the community. “Spence’s commitment to excellence and his deep understanding of Memorial’s culture make him the ideal leader for our future,” offers Wieringa.
“Memorial’s Board deserves credit for a job well done,” Hubbs adds. “They conducted a best-in-class process assisted by nationally esteemed experts, that resulted in an excellent decision for Memorial and our community. Spence has bled Memorial for 22 years, has the respect of our medical staff and team members, and his talent is obvious. We would not be where we are as an organization without him. Spence earned this opportunity, and I am excited for everyone to see what I have known for years. Memorial will be in great hands.”
In what Memorial Health describes as “a generous gesture of gratitude,” Hubbs and his wife, Staci, will contribute $500,000 to support the construction of the new Emergency Department. In appreciation for the significant gift as well as his dedication to the advancement of the health system, the Board of Trustees has voted to honor them with the naming of the yet-to-be-constructed facility as the “Chip & Staci Hubbs Family Emergency Pavilion.”
Retirement celebrations honoring Hubbs’ contributions will be held later in 2026. Memorial Health looks forward to this new chapter, confident in the continued advancement of healthcare for the region.
