Peter Jacobson, president/ chief executive officer (CEO) of St. Joseph's Area Health Services, announced Monday he will resign at the end of November.
Jacobson has accepted a position as the CEO of Lake Region Healthcare in Fergus Falls, starting in January.
"It has been my honor and pleasure to have served on the hospital board since Peter's arrival and as board chair for the past two years," commented Helen Keezer.
"His dynamic leadership style has made St. Joseph's a leader in rural Minnesota healthcare serving the many communities around Park Rapids," Keezer said. "Peter's ability to develop a strong, hard working team has made him a friend to the many employees, including his administrative team, the medical staff, St. Joseph's board of directors and the entire community. The five-member Jacobson family and their widespread community involvement will be a loss for Park Rapids."
Jacobson joined St. Joseph's approximately in 2000. Among accomplishments during his tenure, St. Joseph's Center for Weight Management was named a Center of Excellence, he was instrumental in starting the Community Dental Clinic and St. Joseph's Care Essentials.
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St. Joseph's has experienced significant growth and received numerous awards for high levels of patient and employee satisfaction. St. Joseph's was named Minnesota Hospital Association's Best Hospital Workplace in 2004.
Jacobson also has been instrumental in bringing the latest in technology as well as assisted in recruiting a number of new physicians, specialties and services into the community.
While attaining these accomplishments, he has always kept his eye on how the community's health care needs were changing to best position the institution's role in the community's health care in the future.
"This is a huge loss for us as an organization as well as the entire community," stated Cynthia Rooney, St. Joseph's communication/ development manager. "Peter Jacobson has been an exceptional leader and mentor. Peter sets high standards for himself and his staff. He became a role model for employees and community leaders in how strong Park Rapids could become when people work together as a team. He and his entire family will be greatly missed."
Jacobson's wife, Ann, is a pastor at Calvary Lutheran Church in Park Rapids. They have three children: Emily, age 12; Nathan, age 10; and Lydia, age 8.
In addition to his role at St. Joseph's, he has been involved in many community activities, including Park Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, Rotary (instrumental in starting the Rotoact program for young adults in the community), Lions, Hubbard County DAC board chair and Heritage Living Center board.
In addition, he has led the Progress Park Rapids initiative. He is a proponent for a strong educational system in the area and a major player in trying to bolster education opportunities for children in the Park Rapids School District. He also is an active member in Calvary Lutheran Church.
"I leave St. Joseph's and the Park Rapids community with very mixed feelings," stated Jacobson. "There are many exciting opportunities on the horizon. I have a great deal of confidence in everyone at St. Joseph's to continue to advance healthcare services in the communities we serve.
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"Park Rapids and the surrounding area residents are very fortunate to have a health care team with the skills and commitment demonstrated by St. Joseph's employees and physicians each day."
Jacobson will remain as St. Joseph's CEO through November, and will join St. Joseph's Board of Directors and Catholic Health Initiatives Leadership participating in a national search for a replacement.
