LEWISTON — The head of Central Maine Healthcare is retiring.

Peter Chalke, who’s worked for the hospital system for 33 years and has led it for 15, announced Monday that he will step down as CEO this summer.

“It’s been kind of an emotional roller coaster,” Chalke said. “You do one thing all your life and all of a sudden, hello. But it’s the right thing. It’s time.”

Chalke, who turns 67 next month, said he’s decided to retire now largely because of his age.

“My dad taught me you never want to retire and say, ‘I wish I had.’ I’m not going to say that. I’ve done everything I wanted to do, so I have no regrets,” he said.  

Chalke joined Central Maine Medical Center in 1983 as vice president for ancillary services, where he was responsible for various clinical departments within the Lewiston hospital. Over the years, he was promoted to senior vice president, then executive vice president and chief operating officer. In 1995, he became chief operating officer of Central Maine Healthcare, which is now the parent organization of CMMC, Bridgton Hospital and Rumford Hospital.

CMMC is one of the largest hospitals in Maine.

During his years at CMMC and Central Maine Healthcare, Chalke helped develop CMMC’s heart center — the Central Maine Heart and Vascular Institute — and expand Central Maine Medical Group, which employs doctors within the community. He was also involved in LifeFlight of Maine, the establishment of The Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope and Healing, and the partnership between Central Maine Healthcare and Massachusetts General Hospital.

One of the things he’s most proud of: the hospital system’s people.

“I think we’ve just got a great team here, a can-do attitude. Anything we’ve ever asked them to do in terms of moving this place forward they’ve done. We have a great medical staff,” he said. “It’s just been a pleasure.  … I hope I did something to keep the culture going.”

Central Maine Healthcare’s board of directors is conducting a nationwide search for a new CEO. Chalke has set his retirement for this summer, but he plans to stay until his replacement arrives. 

“I will leave when the new person is sitting in my chair and we have four or five days overlap so I can introduce them to some people. Then I’ll get out of the person’s hair,” he said.

Chalke has also agreed to serve as an informal consultant to help during the transition and with some of the hospital group’s major projects, such as the development of Bates Mill No. 5. 

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