CEO served the community in many ways
Executives who donate their talents to the community can have a tremendously positive impact. The CEO at CGH Medical Center is an excellent example. We salute Ed Andersen on his upcoming retirement.
The president and chief executive officer of CGH Medical Center will step down on Jan. 4.
Ed Andersen retires after serving 37 years at the hospital, the past 16 as its leader.
The leadership he has provided has been both effective and inspirational.
Andersen shepherded CGH through several expansions and acquisitions, which made the facility better able to serve the people of the region.
He instituted a collaborative relationship with the medical staff, which built trust and created a favorable atmosphere for medical professionals to do their work.
Andersen also guided CGH through difficulties caused by the sudden closure in 2001 of the community’s largest employer, Northwestern Steel and Wire.
To say that Andersen has had a positive effect on CGH would be a monumental understatement.
The same could be said about his positive effect on the region.
Andersen has given wholeheartedly of his time and expertise to many community organizations.
His activities include serving as president of the Sterling Area Chamber of Commerce and the Sterling Noon Rotary Club. He has chaired the Greater Sterling Development Corp. and served as secretary for the CGH Health Foundation.
Andersen recently stepped down as president of the Sauk Valley Community College Board of Trustees, although he will remain on the board.
He has been administrative council chairman for Wesley United Methodist Church and served on the national board of Amerinet, a group purchasing organization that represents more than 1,800 U.S. hospitals and 16,000 clinics.
In honor of his professional and community service, Andersen was presented with the P.W. Dillon Award by the Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce about 4 years ago.
In making the announcement, Russ Siefken, executive director of the United Way of Whiteside County, explained the award’s criteria.
“A nominee for this award must possess a truly outstanding record of consistency and dedication to the improvement of the community over an extended period of time, above and beyond their normal professional or personal responsibility.
“The constructive achievement must have an effective impact on the intellectual, cultural, civic, business and/or industrial life of the community for the betterment of all.”
Andersen is not one to blow his own horn. He would rather praise the employees, medical staff and board members at CGH. He would rather point to others in the community for their volunteer work.
But it has been Andersen’s dedication, vision and commitment to the community that has helped make many good things happen around here.
A retirement open house in Andersen’s honor is scheduled for 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the CGH Main Clinic Lobby in Sterling.
We urge people to stop by and thank Andersen for his many years at the hospital.
And we encourage others, particularly up-and-coming executives, to be inspired by Andersen’s outstanding community service and do all they can to emulate it.
