Edgerton Hospital’s new CEO is current interim CEO

Edgerton Hospital’s Board of Trustees announced Wednesday its current interim chief executive officer has been appointed the permanent CEO.

Jim Schultz has been the interim CEO since July 2014, and has served as a Board of Trustees member for the past 10 years, according to a release. He has also been the board chair for five years and the foundation board chair for four years.

As CEO, Schultz will oversee strategic operational and clinical initiatives for the 18-bed critical access hospital, officials said.

“After conducting an extensive nation-wide search to fill the position, the board ultimately knew that the best choice for Edgerton Hospital was right in front of us. Did we find some good candidates? Yes. But, did we find anyone who exceeded Jim Schultz’s qualifications via his history with the hospital? No,” Board of Trustee Vice Chair Jay Peterson said in the release. “Jim’s passion for health care, wellness and our community is unwavering and we have great confidence that he will continue to ensure that each patient receives the high-quality care that Edgerton Hospital is known for.”

Schultz previously provided leadership that led to a new partnership with SSM Health Care of Wisconsin in 2010, the opening of the new green-built facility in 2011, and the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval in 2013, according to the release.

Since Schultz was appointed interim CEO, Edgerton Hospital’s patient satisfaction scores have “skyrocketed,” and the hospital has seen a steady increase in patient volumes, officials said.

“I am honored to be accepting the position of CEO for Edgerton Hospital,” Schultz said in the release. “My goal has been, and will continue to be, to help ensure that this innovative, environmentally-friendly facility, as well as our patient-focused philosophy of high quality home town care, will continue being offered to our area communities far into the future.”

Schultz will be replacing Jim Pernau, who retired in June 2014.