Valley Health System is preparing to say goodbye to one of it's own.

The President and CEO of the organization plans to retire at the end of the year.

Michael Halseth made his big announcement at today's semiannual luncheon meeting.

He joined Valley Health in 1998 after a career as Executive Director at the University of Virginia Medical Center.

"I've enjoyed working with a great board, working with a great management team, working with 400 physicians who do their job very, very well and all the employees. It's been a great place to be and a great place to work, "said Halseth.

Halseth will officially retire at the end of the year.

He will remain as a part-time consultant to the organization through 2009.