Louis J. Panza, Jr., President of Penn Highlands Mon Valley, has announced plans to retire by the end of 2022. His retirement date, he says, is dependent upon the completion of a national search for a successor who will transition into the newly created role of Regional Market President – Southwestern Region. Panza joined Monongahela Valley Hospital in 1984 as Controller, and soon after accepted responsibilities as Senior Vice President/Chief Financial Officer. He assumed the role of President and CEO in 2004. In that position, he served on the Hospital’s Board of Trustees and on the Board of Directors of Mon-Vale Health Resources, Inc., the Hospital’s parent organization. As President and CEO, he oversaw the operation of Monongahela Valley Hospital; Mon-Vale Multiphasics, Inc., a supplier of durable medical equipment and operator of a full-service health and fitness center; Vale-U-Health, Inc., which offers healthcare insurance through a Preferred Provider Organization; Mon-Vale Non-Acute Care Services, Inc., which operates a personal care community and a skilled care facility. In 2021, when Monongahela Valley Hospital began its affiliation with Penn Highlands Healthcare, Mr. Panza remained with the hospital as its President. “The time is right,” said Panza. “I’ve given this much thoughtful consideration. I can retire with the knowledge that joining Penn Highlands Healthcare, we are positioned for the future. I have had the privilege to serve our patients and this community, as well as working with great people who I will dearly miss.”