Mike Wolanin | The Republic Columbus Regional Health President and CEO Jim Bickel addresses members of the public during an open house for Columbus Regional Health’s and the city’s draft plan for development of the CRH property on the westside of Columbus, Indiana at NexusPark, Thursday, May 31, 2023.
Columbus Regional Health President and CEO Jim Bickel has announced plans to retire next year, while the hospital system’s board prepares to initiate a succession plan next week.
Bickel’s retirement and upcoming succession plan, announced Friday, will be the first change in the hospital system’s chief executive role in 17 years.
As part of the succession plan, CRH plans to split the president and CEO roles into two separate roles held by two different people starting Thursday.
Bickel, 64, will remain on as CEO for the time being, while current CRH Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Steve Baker, 54, will assume the role of president in addition to his duties as COO, the hospital said Friday.
Baker
As CEO, Bickel will focus on strategic and long-term initiatives for CRH, while Baker will oversee daily operations at CRH as president and COO.
Bickel’s retirement date has not yet been set, officials said.
“Jim has led an exemplary career with Columbus Regional Health — serving in various leadership roles, but most significantly, leading the organization as president and CEO since 2007, gaining accolades for new building projects and expansions, unifying and expanding outpatient and primary care services, and ushering in the incredible community asset of NexusPark,” CRH Board of Trustees Chair Donald Michael said in a statement. “Jim’s steady, supportive and transparent leadership guided CRH through the most complex and evolving challenges of the 2008 flood and COVID-19. On behalf of my fellow trustees and the entire organization, we are immensely grateful for Jim’s outstanding leadership.”
Bickel initially joined CRH in 1991 and served in a variety of roles before being named president and CEO in 2007, telling The Republic at the time, “I’m very honored and pleased to be given this opportunity by the board and given the chance to more the organization forward and continue on the path we are.”
He previously held the roles of facility and internal relocations for one year, director of materials management and support services for seven years and vice president of professional and support services for eight years before being named the hospital’s chief executive.
Bickel would go on to lead CRH through two of the largest crises that the hospital system has endured over the course of its 107-year history — the COVID-19 pandemic and the catastrophic 2008 flood that prompted staff and the Indiana National Guard to scramble to evacuate 157 patients and temporarily forced the hospital to close its doors while officials renovated and repaired the basement and first floor of the hospital.
He also would spearhead plans to develop a new hospital campus on Columbus’ west side and enter into a joint venture with the city of Columbus to transform the former FairOaks Mall into a health, wellness and recreation center now known as NexusPark.
An Indiana native, Baker joined CRH in 1998 as a network administrator after serving nearly 10 years in the U.S. Air Force, according CRH’s website.
Baker would take on other roles at CRH, including manager of technical services and later director of technical services before leaving the hospital system in 2010 to join UK Healthcare in Lexington, Kentucky. In 2012, Baker joined East Jefferson General Hospital in Metairie, La., as chief information officer.
Two year later, Baker joined IU Health as executive director of IS infrastructure before returning to CRH in 2016 as vice president and chief technology and information officer.
In 2020, Baker became vice president and chief administrative officer at CRH before taking on the role of executive vice president and chief operating officer two years later.
Baker also serves on the Heritage Fund – The Community Foundation Board and the Ascension Rural Healthcare Board. Him and his wife, Deanna, have two adult children.
When not working, Baker enjoys the outdoors, especially hunting and fishing.
This story will be updated.
