By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
After 23 years in a leadership role at Clara Barton Medical Center in Hoisington, including the last several years as CEO, Jim Blackwell announced his resignation this month. Blackwell has accepted a consulting position with Great Plains Health Alliance, based in Wichita but he will be able to work from home and remain in Hoisington.
Blackwell said conversations of possibly working
with Great Plains began years ago but wanted the timing to be right, especially
with new construction and renovations that were ongoing.
"It was the hardest decision of my life," said Blackwell. "I love everything here. The trajectory of our hospital is going in a great way. When all the stars started to align, I thought it was a great time to be able to step off the bus and hand it to somebody else. They're going to be able to continue to pace this organization and mission forward."
Blackwell noted he couldn’t have asked for a better board and more than 300
employees to work with during his time at Clara Barton.
"There is a deep-rooted pride in what everybody does here, and it resonates to the work that people render to the patients that walk through our door," said Blackwell. "That's the one thing I'm the most proud of...is seeing everyone come together in this healthcare community, and we all push forward with that common goal in mind."
Blackwell’s final day with Clara Barton is May 31.