A long-range plan for the succession of Community Hospital’s President was presented today at the Board of Directors meeting and announced to Community Hospital employees and medical staff.

The plan, which spans a little more than a year, is completed December 31, 2006 with the retirement of Gary Bieganski, current President & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and the promotion of Jim Ulrich, Senior Vice President Finance and Support to President & CEO.

The succession planning timeline began with the promotion of Jim Ulrich to Senior Vice President Finance and Support in July. With that promotion, Ulrich began to work with Bieganski on day-to-day operations of Community Hospital, medical staff relations, committee structure, continual planning, fundraising and development of the rehabilitation center.

January 1, 2006, Ulrich will be promoted to Senior VP/Chief Operating Officer (COO) for Community Hospital, assuming primary responsibilities of daily operation. This will allow Bieganski to focus on completing pending work and projects.

July 1, 2006, Ulrich becomes the President/CEO and assumes full responsibilities of the Community Hospital Chief Executive Officer. Bieganski will become President Emeritus and work half time as he continues to transition job responsibilities to Ulrich and complete projects.

On December 31, 2006, Bieganski will retire from Community Hospital.

Bieganski joined Community Hospital as hospital administrator in March 1978, only four years after Community Hospital was built. “Gary has devoted most of his career to Community Hospital,” said Jeff Crick, Community Hospital Board of Directors Chairman. “Without his progressive approach toward the development of the hospital, we would not be where we are today. The hospital has achieved many goals and is a model for many rural hospitals. We are fortunate to have a facility of this nature in McCook.”

In announcing the plan, Bieganski praised the management group of the hospital known as the administrative council. “We have a very strong senior management group made up of dedicated individuals who are well versed in communications, well-informed and excel in strategic thinking and planning. This administrative council is the best and strongest team Community Hospital has ever had.”

In addition to Bieganski and Ulrich, other council members include: Jan Fidler, Vice President Patient Care Services; Tom Carpenter, Vice President Human Resources and Public Relations; and Troy Bruntz, Chief Financial Officer.

The plan also includes promoting Troy Bruntz, Chief Financial Officer, to Vice President Finance and CFO, and Jessica Bortner, Corporate Compliance Coordinator, to Compliance Officer as well as an addition of Vice President Ancillary Services to cover Ulrich’s former job responsibilities.

“Jim was a natural to succeed me as President/CEO,” Bieganski said. “He has an excellent base and experience in finance and also possesses great skills in working with people and being an excellent communicator. It has been very gratifying to me to have someone of Jim’s experience and financial talents being so interested in the broader aspects of strategic planning, goals, long-range planning and the day-to-day operations of Community Hospital.”

“I’m truly excited about this opportunity,” Ulrich said. “We began working on this plan about two years ago. Not only do I feel really fortunate to enter into this new pursuit, but I will have the luxury to use Gary and his vast expertise as a resource as I transition into the CEO position,” he said. “I am also privileged to work with a strong senior management team and department directors as well as our talented and dedicated employees and medical staff.”