COLUMBUS, Ind. – After nearly 34 years of service with Columbus Regional Health (CRH), Jim Bickel, President and Chief Executive Officer, has decided to retire in 2025. Bickel was praised for his numerous contributions and milestones during his nearly two decades of serving as CRH’s President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
“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,” said CRH Board of Trustees Chair, Mr. Donald Michael.
He continued, “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.
With this announcement, the Columbus Regional Health Board of Trustees has initiated a succession plan, effective August 1, 2024, that will separate the roles of President and CEO of Columbus Regional Health. Jim Bickel will continue as CEO, and the Board announces that the current Chief Operating Officer, Steve Baker, will assume the role of President, in addition to his duties as COO.
As CEO, Bickel will focus on strategic and long-term initiatives and new President/COO Baker will oversee the daily operations of CRH.
