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The two hospitals of Physicians Regional Healthcare System in Collier County will be under the leadership of one chief executive officer instead of separate chiefs at each campus, according to Health Management Associates Inc., which own the hospitals.

Geoffrey Moebius, CEO of Physicians Regional Medical Center-Pine Ridge, also will serve as CEO of Physicians Regional Medical Center-Collier Boulevard.

Mike Mastej, 58, is no longer the CEO of the Collier Boulevard hospital and is leaving the hospital system.

The change is effective immediately, according to a memo by Josh Putter, senior vice president of operations for the Naples-based HMA, to all hospital employees on Monday.

The 100-bed hospital on Collier Boulevard has been open for eight months and the time has come to consolidate the hospital system under one leadership, Putter stated in the memo.

“It is with mixed emotions that I am announcing that J. Michael Mastej will be leaving the Physicians Regional Healthcare System,” Putter wrote. “(Mastej) is evaluating several options that will allow him to move closer to his family. (He) has been instrumental in bringing the Collier Boulevard hospital from concept to reality. He has put in countless hours with the community, medical staff leadership and employees. His leadership and passion for our hospital and community will be missed.”

Putter could not be reached for comment Monday.

Mastej said consolidation of the 83-bed Pine Ridge campus and the 100-bed Collier Boulevard campus has been under consideration for some time and the decision to move forward was made recently by HMA officials.

“When you make a change, you make a change,” Mastej said, adding that consolidation is good and nothing negative has occurred between himself and HMA.

Family issues are prompting him and his wife, Lucy, to relocate to Georgia, he said. One consideration is a CEO position with a hospital east of Atlanta.

“That’s a possibility,” he said. “This should work out all right.”

He may not be leaving HMA, which currently owns three hospitals in Georgia.

“I don’t know that for sure,” he said.

Colleagues at the hospital on Collier Boulevard and in the community were saddened and surprised to learn Mastej is leaving.

“I’m sad to see him go. Life is full of changes,” said Bob Murray, with the East Naples Civic Association and who serves on the advisory board for the hospital system. “He’s a nice guy.”

Dr. Richard Abood, chief of staff for the hospital system, said consolidation had been discussed for two or three months and Mastej was a proponent of it.

“He was an asset and put that hospital together. I hope he gets the recognition for building that hospital,” Abood said. “He’s my personal friend and he’s the reason I have been involved with the hospital system. Mostly it is sad to see him go. All of his good work is coming to fruition.”

Mastej joined HMA in early 2001 as vice president of acquisitions. He was instrumental in garnering support in the community when HMA first sought state approval to build the $75 million, 100-bed hospital, to provide medical care to the rapidly growing East Naples and Marco Island region.

Approval was granted in 2002 but the NCH Healthcare System objected. After two years of legal wrangling, HMA prevailed in court in 2004. Company officials announced in June 2005 that Mastej would be CEO of the new hospital and construction began two months later.

Dr. Allen Weiss, president and chief executive officer of NCH, had not heard that HMA had been considering a single CEO position. He learned Monday morning that Mastej is leaving the area.

“I’m surprised,” he said. “I have great respect for both Mike and Geoff and for their hospitals.”

Debbie Chandler, chief executive officer of Anchor Health Centers, the largest group practice in Collier, said HMA officials had made it clear they were moving in the direction of a single leadership for the hospital system, evident by a one medical staff and moving to a unified billing system.

“It’s the more efficient way,” she said. (Mastej) did a great job getting (the new hospital) opened.”

Prior to joining HMA in 2001, Mastej was with Universal Health Services, based in Minnesota, where he held various positions, including posts as CEO of hospitals. He has worked for Humana as CEO of various hospitals and he began his career in the health-care industry with Michigan Blue Cross.