Sanford Health CEO Kelby Krabbenhoft, who late last week said he didn’t need to wear a mask because he is immune from contracting or transmitting COVID-19 since he tested positive, is retiring.
“We decided that today was a good time to retire,” Krabbenhoft said in an emailed statement. “Sanford is in a good place, strongest ever. It is Thanksgiving week and almost exactly 25 years since my family came here. It is a good time to say ‘goodbye.'”
Sioux Falls, S.D.-based Sanford’s board of trustees on Tuesday described the decision as mutual, and appointed Bill Gassen as Krabbenhoft’s replacement, effectively immediately. Gassen most recently served as Sanford’s chief administrative officer and has been with the health system since 2012.
Board chair Brent Teiken said in a news release that Gassen’s substantial experience with the organization makes him the right person to lead Sanford through these unprecedented times.
“We’re extremely optimistic