The long-time CEO of a local health system has announced his plan to retire.

Metro Health-University of Michigan Health President and CEO Michael Faas will step down from his role in 2018, the health system said today.

Faas has served in that role since July of 1994 and will stay on until the search for his replacement is complete.

In his tenure at Metro Health, Faas oversaw the relocation of Metro Health Hospital from Grand Rapids to Wyoming, the construction of Metro Health Village, establishment of the system’s first neighborhood outpatient facilities, now totalling 18 locations, and the hiring of Metro’s first doctors, now up to 225 employed providers.

In late December, Faas also oversaw the finalization of Metro Health’s affiliation with the University of Michigan Health System. Under the agreement, the University of Michigan Board of Regents became the sole corporate member of Metro Health, replacing Metro Health Corporation.

The search for Faas’ replacement is already underway, as is the implementation of Metro Health’s transition plan. The health system said to “expect no slowdown” in its growth or moving forward on strategic initiatives.

“It was an honor and a privilege to work beside so many wonderful people who always put what was best for the patient and the community first,” Faas said. “Those who work at Metro Health truly have always had a passion for what they do and how they do it.”