LARKSPUR, California—By the Bay Health announced the appointment of Skelly Wingard, RN, MSN as chief executive officer for the organization. The appointment, which will be effective June 19, follows a nationwide search for a new leader to fill the role currently held by Kitty Whitaker, who announced her retirement in February of 2022.
Wingard joins By the Bay Health with more than 10 years of progressive leadership experience, including her most recent role as vice president of Continuum of Care for Kaiser Permanente, Mid-Atlantic States, where she led strategy and operations for hospital and post-acute services, emergency care management, health plan utilization, transportation, regional care management and more.
“We’re incredibly excited to have Skelly join us at By the Bay Health,” said Bob Simon, chair of the Board of By the Bay Health. “Her dynamic experience in both patient care and executive leadership is reflective of our historic commitment to continue investing in a model of care that is patient-centered, accessible and serves those in need of high-quality, compassionate care.”
Wingard, who holds a master’s degree in nursing from the University of San Francisco, began her career in health care as a bedside nurse before joining North American Health Care in 2008, where she held both clinical and administrative leadership roles. In 2012, she joined Ensign Services as director of nursing, and was promoted to vice president of Care Continuum in 2014. In 2017, she joined Kaiser Permanente Health Plan, where she held Continuum of Care leadership roles across Northern California. In 2020, she progressed within the organization as the executive leader, overseeing Continuum health plan operations in Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia.
“I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity and excited to join an organization with such a strong commitment to patients and community,” said Wingard. “This organization’s legacy of leadership and innovation is something I have always admired, and I look forward to building on that critical work alongside our many valued employees, volunteers and supporters.”
Wingard currently lives in Petaluma, is an avid trail runner, and enjoys spending time outdoors with family and friends.
