Richard Miller, longtime president and CEO of Virtua, announced he will retire at the end of this year after 21 years at the helm.
A search for his successor has begun.
Miller, 64, helped form the New Jersey-based system in 1998 and was named its president and CEO shortly after. The system was created from the merger of West Jersey Health System and Memorial Health Alliance.
At the time, Miller was president and CEO of West Jersey Health System. He joined the system in 1986 as vice president of finance. During his tenure, he also served as chief financial officer and senior vice president of hospital affairs.
Virtua operates three hospitals and seven urgent care centers across New Jersey. Its medical group represents 302 physicians.
As president and CEO, Miller oversaw the opening of a new hospital in 2011. He also led the transition of an underperforming inpatient facility to an outpatient center.
Virtua has a partnership with Penn Medicine to advance research in cancer treatment and neuroscience. The system has a similar collaboration with Children's Hospital of Philadelphia to offer treatment to infants.
Miller has previously served as chairman of the New Jersey Hospital Association and a board member at the University of the Sciences of Philadelphia.
"I've been privileged to lead one of the region's greatest healthcare teams with people who are dedicated to compassionate healing and outstanding customer service,” Miller said. “The time has come for me to pass the baton to the next generation of leaders, and I will take great pride in watching the organization continue to fulfill its mission of helping people be well, get well and stay well.”
