http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wium/local-wium-940608.mp3
Macomb, IL – Rich Egger's guest is McDonough District Hospital President and CEO Stephen Hopper, who will retire in early January.
Hopper came to Macomb from a hospital in suburban Milwaukee. He has spent the past 26 years at the helm of MDH.
Hopper said hospital presidents can sometimes lead a nomadic existence, but he and his wife chose to remain in Macomb because it proved to be a good place to raise a family.
Hopper could have waited another year or two before retiring but decided the time was ripe because of the massive changes coming to the health care industry.
"There are just so many mechanisms that are incorporated in this health care reform bill that are going to be challenging, at best, for every hospital in the United States," Hopper said.
Hopper said he wants to hand the next MDH president a clean slate for taking on those challenges.
Hopper said he has enjoyed his time at MDH. He plans to remain in the area after retiring.