The Grossmont Healthcare District is poised to make a significant leadership decision, with directors considering James Sly as the next chief executive officer. The board will discuss this potential appointment during its regular meeting on Tuesday. Currently, Sly serves as the CEO of the East County Economic Development Corporation, a role he has held since being promoted in 2020 after previously serving as vice president from 2012 to 2020.
The Grossmont board’s deliberations come after the previous CEO, Christian Wallis, was dismissed in March 2023. No public rationale was provided for the decision, raising questions about the leadership transition. The Grossmont Healthcare District, headquartered in La Mesa, has fostered a collaborative relationship with the East County EDC in recent years, notably working on a workforce pipeline initiative. This project aims to train individuals for essential roles in healthcare, including patient care aides, medical assistants, and licensed vocational or registered nurses.
Unlike other public healthcare districts such as Palomar Health in Escondido and Tri-City Medical Center in Oceanside, the Grossmont board partners with the private nonprofit Sharp HealthCare to operate its facility, Sharp Grossmont Hospital. This unique partnership allows the Grossmont board to focus on grantmaking, allocating funding sourced from property tax levies to support a variety of local programs.
During the upcoming meeting, the board is also expected to approve its 2025-26 grant award list. A total of 45 local organizations have been recommended to receive grants this year, alongside plans to sponsor 10 events. If appointed as CEO, Sly’s contract would include an annual salary of $280,000 and an additional $10,000 stipend designated for professional development.
The decision on Sly’s appointment, along with the approval of the grant list, highlights the Grossmont Healthcare District’s ongoing commitment to enhancing health services and workforce development in the region.
