Born in Virginia in 1928, Mr. Wilburn graduated from Blacksburg-based Virginia Polytechnic Institute, now called Virginia Tech. He joined Bethesda hospitals after arriving in Cincinnati in 1971, where he served as president and CEO for more than 20 years. After sealing a partnership with Sister Myra James Bradley, who led Englewood, Colo.-based Catholic Health Initiative’s Good Samaritan Hospital, Mr. Wilburn created TriHealth.
The now 20-year-old health system employs roughly 12,000 caregivers and operates hospitals, ambulatory care centers and other facilities in nearly 130 locations in the region.
Among his numerous accomplishments, Mr. Wilburn helped create the Hospice of Cincinnati and the Health Collaborative of Greater Cincinnati, which connects corporate and healthcare leaders with community advocates. He also opened the region’s first free-standing emergency department and free-standing outpatient center.
Mr. Wilburn is survived by his wife of 64 years, four children and many grandchildren.
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