Norwich - David Whitehead, named on Tuesday as the new president and chief executive officer of The William W. Backus Hospital, is going to spend the next several weeks listening.

Whitehead, 48, came to the hospital since 1999 after positions as publisher of the Norwich Bulletin and at Electric Boat, will become hospital president on July 1, when Thomas Pipicelli steps down after 15 years. Whitehead was chosen by the hospital board from a pool of in-house candidates, has been vice president for planning at the hospital since 2003.

A lifelong Norwich resident, he and his wife Tara have five children. His salary will be determined later this week, when his contract is negotiated with the board, said Keith Fontaine, director of corporate communications. Pipicelli earned $575,000 annually.

In an interview Tuesday afternoon, Whitehead said he plans to meet with hospital "stakeholders," including staff, volunteers and physicians, one-on-one and in groups "to take the pulse" of the institution through "active listening." Using that information, he said, he'll develop a plan for the hospital's future and meeting the many challenges it and all health care institutions face.

"There's not a more exciting time to be in health care, with the challenges facing the deliver of health care and the economy," said Whitehead. "Most importantly, this institution in my opinion is this community's greatest asset."

He is confident, he said, that Backus can weather any challenges from the downturn in the economy and intensifying pressures on health care. He will begin his new role while the hospital is in an enviable position compared to many of its peers. While the downturn has cut into revenues at many of the state's hospitals - 21 of 27 are currently in the red - Backus is still operating in the black.

Since the hospital is a "people intensive" enterprise, Whitehead plans to make sure he's the kind of president people in the Backus community get to know.

"You can't sit in your office all day long," he said. "You've got to get out and engage with folks."

In his current job, Whitehead had a major role in the hospital's recent expansion and renovation project. He was charged with shepherding the project through the state Office of Health Care Access for approvals, and was one of four co-chairman of a campaign that raised $5 million.

He is not ready to announce new initiatives for the hospital, but emphasized that completing those currently under way - like the implementation of fully electronic medical records and other technology upgrades - is critical.

"We know where we want to get to," he said.

But, he added, the hospital must also remain ready to make adjustments to changing conditions. An oft-heard phrase summed up his attitude: "You can't change the wind, but you can adjust the sails."

J.BENSON@THEDAY.COM