Sentara Halifax Regional Hospital has announced that its chief operating officer, Thomas S. Kluge ,has accepted a new position. Chris A. Lumsden, president of Sentara Halifax Regional Hospital, shared the news with leadership and employees Tuesday afternoon. Kluge has accepted the position of president of Hampshire Memorial and War Memorial Hospitals, which are owned and operated by Valley Health, headquartered in Winchester.

“I am sad Tom will be leaving our organization after serving as chief operating officer and a member of our senior leadership team for the past 26 years,” Lumsden said. “Tom has been a great advocate of our mission and a loyal and committed executive leader for our organization and our community.”

Among the many highlights of Kluge’s career, Lumsden noted Kluge’s leadership during important changes such as local health care’s evolution into an integrated health system; continued expansion of the workforce from 600 to more than 1,250 team members and medical staff expansion from 65 to 125 providers; establishment of the hospital’s MRI, cardiac catheterization suite, and mental health services; construction of more than $75 million in new and expanded health-care facilities on and off the hospital campus; and improvement in patient quality and customer satisfaction scores.

“Tom is a respected colleague and friend. On behalf of our entire team, I wish Tom and his wife, Sharon, much success and happiness. We appreciate their many wonderful contributions to our region,” Lumsden said.

Kluge will begin responsibilities in his new job on May 6.