Dr. Nicholas Wolter, longtime CEO of Billings (Mont.) Clinic, will retire from the not-for-profit system in January.
Effective immediately, Wolter is taking a planned medical leave of absence to undergo minor medical procedures, according to a news release. Dr. Randall Gibb, chief medical officer of Billings Clinic, is acting as interim CEO.
Wolter joined Billings Clinic in 1982 to practice pulmonary and critical-care medicine and was eventually promoted to CEO in 1997.
During Wolter's tenure, Billings grew to become Montana's largest healthcare organization. The system includes a 393-bed hospital with a Level 2 trauma center, seven clinics and a 90-bed skilled-nursing facility. Billings Clinic is also one of the state's largest employers with more than 4,400 physicians and staff members.
Throughout his career, Wolter has served as a board member for the American Hospital Association, American Medical Group Association and the Montana Hospital Association. He also served two terms as a commissioner on the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission.
Wolter has previously appeared on Modern Healthcare's 100 Most Influential People in Healthcare list.