Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital Announces Retirement Date for CEO Bob Crumb.

September 10, 2021

Bob Crumb joined the Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital team as Chief Executive Officer in 2016 and has recently announced his retirement after 50 years in the healthcare industry. The Board of Trustees and Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital employees were notified that Bob’s retirement date would be September 1^st, 2022.

“Announcing my retirement to employees has left me with a variety of emotions. I am extremely proud of the team that I work beside as Chief Executive Officer. The community of Manistique has welcomed my wife and I with open arms. I have thoroughly enjoyed getting involved in community groups and I am grateful for the many lifelong friendships I have formed. The team at Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital is like no other. I will miss my daily rounds with employees across all departments. I had a vision to improve access to healthcare for our patients and to unite our teams through Phase 2 of the building expansion project. Looking back, we have accomplished so much, and with the support of our community, our future looks bright. I will ensure that the next CEO is equipped with the fundamentals that will carry our success forward. The community should be proud to have an independent thriving hospital. I have complete faith that the search for a new CEO will lead to continued success and growth across service lines. Thank you for the memories and I look forward to passing the baton to the next Chief Executive Officer” said Bob Crumb.

This announcement has prompted the Board of Trustees to form a steering committee to determine how the selection process and search should proceed. Once the search committee is formed and the process has been outlined, the search will begin. The board expects a smooth transition with plenty of time to search for a qualified candidate. The plan includes one-on-one training alongside the current CEO to ensure sufficient training is received before Bob’s retirement. Based on previous experience, the board expects the search to take several months. Once a new CEO has been hired, he or she will be introduced to the community, city officials and county board members. The candidates’ credentials, biography and employment qualifications will be shared publicly. “The Board of Trustees has appreciated a close working relationship with Bob Crumb, the leadership he brought to the organization and the close relationship he has enjoyed with the entire Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital Team” shared Peter Hood, Board Chair.

The last five years of Bob Crumb’s tenure have paved the road to continued success for an incoming Chief Executive Officer. The financial turnaround for Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital has been remarkable. This community hospital has grown significantly under his leadership. The hospital added several specialty healthcare services including Cardiology, ENT, Podiatry, Bariatrics, Behavioral Health, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. He recruited new family practice providers in Manistique and opened the Naubinway Rural Health Clinic to care for patients across the service area. Access to mental health and psychiatric services were priorities on the Community Health needs assessment. Bob Crumb realized this need and was involved in several grants that launched a successful Behavioral Health Program for the community. The hospital recently purchased 101 Walnut to provide a private and safe environment for individuals seeking community resources assistance, therapy, or psychiatric evaluations. Bob understood the need to invest in equipment that kept pace with today’s technology to best serve our patients. In 2019, SMH purchased a state-of-the-art Siemens Somatom go.All 64 slice CT as well as a Siemens Symbia Intevo Excel Nuclear Medicine SPECT CT, one of only 3 in the UP. Finally, this fall, SMH will purchase and install a new Hologic Selenia Dimensions 3D mammography unit, one of the fastest, highest resolution breast tomosynthesis systems on the market today.

The introduction of the Cerner Electronic Medical Record has improved communication and processes across the hospital. Patients have access to their medical records through the improved online portal. Managers and senior leadership have real time data to monitor appointments, finances, and patient billing.

One of the largest projects that Bob, and his team brought to fruition was Phase 2 of the building expansion project. The dream was to unite the employees currently working offsite at the Medical Office Building on Lake Street. After much anticipation and planning, the dream is becoming a reality. In the early months of the new year, a state-of-the-art Rehabilitation Center will open offering physical, speech, occupational and aquatic therapy in a brand-new facility. Our chemotherapy and infusion patients will also benefit from the expansion. Private infusion bays and suites will expand our ability to offer life-saving treatments to patients who seek care close to their families and hometown. Most of our non-clinical teams will move into the Cornerstone Administrative Building located behind the Rural Health Clinic when construction is complete.

The pandemic has certainly posed challenges for employees at Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital, but Bob worked closely with front line leaders and administrative staff to ensure the safety of our patients remained a top priority. He led the Emergency Response team through the planning and execution of successful testing and vaccination efforts across five counties and beyond.

To Bob, people matter most. His legacy will live on many years after his departure and his leadership has set a high standard for the next candidate. The public should expect that Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital will continue to provide the best quality care to its patients during the transition and will continue to look at new opportunities to expand our services and enhance our healthcare.