Don Leaves a Legacy of Leadership
Don Krabill, who proudly served as Beacon Health System’s first board chairman and who successfully guided the affiliation of Elkhart General Hospital and Memorial Hospital, recently completed his two-year term.
Don, who owns Camrian Holdings Limited, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to work with such a dedicated group of people.
During Don’s tenure, Beacon Health System became the region’s largest, community-owned, not-for-profit health care system, comprised of Elkhart General and Memorial Hospitals, Beacon Medical Group and Beacon Health Ventures.
“I am extremely pleased with the progress we have made over the past two years in becoming a more unified health care system,” he says. “It was gratifying to be part of something that will help the people of our region for generations to come, and to do so with a group of people who care and understand what it means to do the right thing. This is just the start; there is more good to come for Beacon and the community.”
During Don’s tenure, Beacon Health System became the region’s largest, community-owned, not-for-profit health care system, comprised of Elkhart General and Memorial Hospitals, Beacon Medical Group and Beacon Health Ventures.
There were a host of critical issues—working with key partners, attracting talented medical personnel, ensuring the highest levels of quality and maintaining a solid tradition of financial stewardship—to consider throughout the discussion process. At the forefront was Don, who, then Elkhart General Healthcare System Board Chairman, viewed the joining together of Elkhart General and Memorial as a “true marriage of equals” that would form a common vision for an integrated health care system that delivers the highest quality care.
Approved in November 2011, the affiliation was the culmination of hard work, patience and collaboration of leaders from two medical legacies that have each served their respective communities for more than 100 years. Elkhart General and Memorial leaders agreed the affiliation made sense due to the fact that the two health systems had worked together on programs and services for more than 25 years; health care reform; a mutual desire to remain locally owned and governed; and a shared focus on mission and values. As a result, Don was called upon to serve as Beacon’s first Board Chairman.
“Don was the right chair for the time, successfully guiding the integration of two strong health systems, providing a voice of steady leadership and guidance,” says Phil Newbold, Beacon Health System CEO. “Many elements of the integration have occurred earlier than anticipated and that’s due in large part to Don’s keen sense of how to bring people in the organizations together.”
Jack Hiler was named to replace Don as Chair and will serve two years in this role. Special thanks to John Martin who recently completed his tenure as Elkhart General Hospital’s Chairman of the Board.
