Rural hospitals throughout the nation provide much needed access to healthcare that many Americans rely on a daily basis. These rural hospitals don’t have the name recognition as many larger metropolitan hospitals, but they still continue to provide high-quality healthcare critical to those living in small or rural communities. To give recognition to the leaders behind these remote providers, Becker's Hospital Review has released the 2017 edition of its 60 Rural Hospital CEOs to Know list.
The 60 CEOs on this year's list possess extensive experience in healthcare management, demonstrating their commitment to offering high-quality, accessible care to rural populations. Under the leadership of these CEOs, many of their institutions have earned recognition as top-performing rural hospitals in the nation.
For the fourth year in a row, Gibson Area Hospital & Health Services (GAHHS) CEO Rob Schmitt has been named among these top 60 CEOs. Of the 60 CEOs selected from hospitals all over the country, Schmitt is again the only one to represent the central Illinois area. The nearest and only other CEO from Illinois selected is from Fairfield, 156 miles south of Gibson City.
Schmitt was named Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GAHHS on April 1, 2007. Under his leadership, and with Chief Operating Officer Robin Rose, GAHHS has grown to become the largest Critical Access Hospitals in Illinois, with over $220 million in annual revenues, and is among the largest 1% of Critical Access Hospitals in the nation. The organization’s assets have nearly tripled, while the net worth of the organization has doubled during Schmitt’s tenure. In addition, GAHHS has been recognized at the state and national levels for providing high quality care and high patient satisfaction by organizations like The Joint Commission, Healthgrades, Arbor & Associates, Ivantage, Women’s Choice Award, National Rural Healthcare Association, and CMS. On discussing the organizations success, Schmitt states, “It is really a group effort. GAHHS is fortunate to have an amazing, supportive medical staff, excellent staff and volunteers, and a strong board of directors that trust and rely on administration to make the hospital successful.” Schmitt began his tenure at GAHHS on December 9, 2002, as the Chief Financial Officer.
For inclusion on this list, individuals must serve as CEOs of hospitals in "rural" areas, defined by location outside major metropolitan areas. Becker's Hospital Review analyzed compilations by ranking and award agencies, such as The Leapfrog Group's listing of top rural hospitals and the National Rural Health Association's list of top rural community hospitals. The editorial team also accepted nominations for the list.
The full list can be read here: http://www.beckershospitalreview.com/60-rural-hospital-ceos-to-know-2017/robert-schmitt-16.html%20
Note: Individuals cannot pay for inclusion on this list.
About Becker’s Hospital Review
Becker's Hospital Review is a monthly publication offering up-to-date business and legal news and analysis relating to hospitals and health systems. Geared toward high-level hospital leaders, the publication strives to provide valuable content, including hospital and health system news, best practices, and legal guidance specifically for these decision-makers. Each issue of Becker's Hospital Review reaches more than 18,000 people, primarily acute-care hospital CEOs, CFOs and CIOs.
