Merv Webb, vice president of the RMH Foundation, has announced plans to retire in spring 2013.

“Merv has served RMH and this community well for more than 35 years,” said RMH President Jim Krauss. “There’s almost no area of the hospital that has not been touched by the millions raised during Merv’s career at RMH. We wish him well and we’re grateful that he’s given us this advance notice for his retirement so we can provide for a smooth transition of RMH Foundation leadership.”

Webb came to Harrisonburg from Detroit in 1976 to become the director of community development at RMH. During his career he has led successful major campaigns for the original RMH Regional Cancer Center, an endowment fund and the new hospital, as well as having raised funds for annual needs. He has been recognized for his fundraising work on local and national levels.

“Few hospitals in Virginia are blessed with such a mature and well-developed Foundation as the fundraising program at RMH,” noted Karen Wigginton, chair of the RMH Foundation Board. “We’ve been fortunate to have Merv Webb leading that effort for so many years. The Foundation Board looks forward to working with RMH President Jim Krauss in filling this leadership position to continue to enhance generosity in our community.”

Krauss noted that a selection process is already in place to fill the position, with candidates inside RMH getting first consideration.

“It is RMH policy to promote from within when possible; however, if no internal candidate is found to be suitable, a larger regional search will be conducted,” he said. “It is our hope to name Merv’s successor in the next few months so we can work on a transition plan for the Foundation before his retirement early next year.”