Dr. Walter J. Gaska

St. John’s clinic division president to retire

SBJ Staff

Posted online May 14, 2007 | 11:00 pm

Dr. Walter J. Gaska, Springfield division president for St. John’s Clinic, has announced he will retire by the end of the year and transition into a role as president emeritus.

Gaska also will phase out his plastic surgery clinic practice during the next few years, according to a St. John’s news release.

Gaska has served as division president since 1999. He is one of three division presidents for the clinic – Dr. David Barbe is regional division president, and Dr. Randall Huss is Rolla division president.

“Dr. Gaska has been instrumental in the growth and success of St. John’s Clinic, and the board sincerely thanks him for his dedication and strong leadership,” St. John’s Clinic Chief Operating Officer Donn Sorensen said in the release.

As president emeritus, Gaska will “continue to be an ambassador for St. John’s Health System,” in addition to assisting with physician recruiting and fund-raising activities and serving as senior adviser to St. John’s Clinic leadership, according to the release.

A search committee has been approved to find Gaska’s successor and will begin the process immediately. The committee comprises Gaska, Barbe, Huss, Sorensen, St. John’s Health System President and CEO Kim Day, St. John’s Clinic board chairman Dr. Brian Mahaffey, and board members Drs. William W. Sistrunk and Christopher A. Edwards.[[In-content Ad]]