Trios Health CEO to retire in June

Glen Marshall figured out what he wanted to do with his life back in high school.

His mother worked in the cafeteria of their hometown hospital in De Queen, Ark., and she helped him get a part-time job there.

He manned an accounting machine, helped out on the switchboard and pitched in on other tasks.

Hospital work suited him, and he made it his goal to work in health care administration.

That goal became reality.

Marshall, 63, has spent four decades in the health care field, including the past 12 years as CEO of Trios Health in Kennewick.

It’s been a fulfilling career, he said. But he’s now ready for a new chapter of life.

Marshall on Friday announced his pending retirement.

He’ll stay on at Trios through the end of June, helping with the transition to a new CEO.

“I’ve really loved doing this work,” he said. “But now is a good time for me to step aside and let the organization bring in the leader for the next phase. I’ll do what I can to assist and support them.”

Trios Health is the name of the Kennewick Public Hospital District. The organization’s board plans to hire an interim CEO to run day-to-day operations while Marshall’s replacement is selected.

Marv Kinney, board president, said he and his colleagues are grateful for Marshall’s service.

“The district appreciates Glen’s work guiding the organization through unprecedented growth (in) times that have been turbulent for the health care industry,” he said in a statement. “Up until three years ago, we were operating in a hospital that was inadequate for 21st century patient care. He weathered the problems of financing and constructing a replacement hospital at Southridge without taxpayer support.”

Marshall has helped advance Trios and the Tri-City community, Kinney said.

“Progress has been made in several important areas, even as the health care industry has been forced to adapt to significant changes and numerous challenges,” he said.

Marshall joined Trios in December 2004 and led the system through a period of transformational change. That included shedding the moniker Kennewick General Hospital in favor of Trios Health and opening the new Trios Southridge Hospital and Trios Care Center at Southridge. The district also launched the Tri-Cities’ first medical residency program.

Marshall also faced some significant challenges, from a difficult road opening the new hospital to tight finances that led to layoffs.

He said he’s proud of all that was accomplished during his tenure, praising Trios’ staff and medical providers, leadership and the community.

“When you have a bunch of good people around you, it’s easier to get things done,” he said.

More challenges lay ahead as health care continues to change, he said. But, “I’m very confident this hospital will continue to thrive and do well in the future.”

Marshall, the father of two adult children, won’t be leaving the Tri-City area come June.

He and his wife, Sharla, bought a small farm near Benton City and look forward to relaxing there and “enjoying the beautiful views,” he said.

They also plan to stay active and involved in the community, plus expect to travel and visit family around the country, he said.

Marshall also hopes to play more tennis and may even take up golf, he said.

His long career in health care has been rewarding and stepping away from Trios is bittersweet, Marshall said.

“I have mixed emotions,” he told the Herald. “But I’m looking forward to what retirement brings.”

This story was originally published January 27, 2017 at 12:02 PM with the headline "Trios Health CEO to retire in June."