WVU Medicine East CEO announces retirement

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. - Anthony P. Zelenka, president and chief executive officer of WVU Medicine East, announced yesterday (Jan. 23) that he plans to retire on June 30.

Zelenka joined WVU Medicine in March 2008 with more than 30 years of healthcare management experience. He served as president and CEO of Berkeley Medical Center for seven years until he was named president and CEO for both Berkeley and Jefferson Medical Centers in 2015.

“It has been a pleasure and honor to have served in an administrative capacity for WVU Medicine East for the past 12 years,” Zelenka said. “During that time, the local Board of Directors and WVU Medicine have been extremely supportive of my leadership, which has allowed for tremendous growth of the patient market in Berkeley and Jefferson counties.”

During his extensive healthcare career, Zelenka has managed a broad array of hospital service lines and been responsible for developing and implementing a number of strategic projects, including quality and performance improvement, technology upgrades, construction, and renovation.

“Everyone will miss Tony, and we all deeply appreciate his outstanding work and leadership,” Albert L. Wright, Jr., president and chief executive officer of the West Virginia University Health System, said. “Tony led a critical transformation of healthcare delivery in West Virginia’s eastern panhandle. His vision, energy, and passion made a huge impact on the community, and I am grateful to have been able to work with him.”

Zelenka holds a Master of Health Administration and a certificate from the Executive Program in Healthcare Financial Management from Ohio State University. He is a fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives.

Since joining WVU Medicine, Zelenka has been an active leader in the community. He served on the Berkeley County Development Authority, including two years as its president. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Martinsburg Berkeley County Chamber of Commerce and, in 2016, was named the C. Leslie Golliday Business Person of the Year.

“As president and CEO, it has been my pleasure serving the community and providing enhanced patient services to improve the health of area residents. Though it was a difficult decision, all good things must come to an end, and I am looking forward to an active retirement,” Zelenka said.

The West Virginia University Health System and the Berkeley Medical Center/Jefferson Medical Center board will form a search committee to conduct a national search for Zelenka’s successor.