A Legacy of Dedication: Memorial’s Ed Curtis Retires after 50 Years

When Ed Curtis arrived at Springfield Memorial Hospital in 1975 as a new nursing graduate, he had no idea he was beginning a 50-year career that would culminate as president and CEO.

Curtis, a native of Springfield, Illinois, had been inspired to become a registered nurse after witnessing the compassionate care a family member received during a hospital stay. After graduating from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, he took a bedside nursing position on the nephrology unit at his hometown hospital, then known as Memorial Medical Center.

During that first decade as a nurse, he recalled, “I never thought about doing anything else.” But his promotion to nurse manager of the nephrology program was the first in a series of leadership positions that would ultimately finish with his appointment as president and CEO of the health system in 2008.

 “CEOs with bedside nursing experience are very rare, but it’s especially meaningful to have a leader who has spent his entire 50-year career with the same organization in his hometown,” said Michael Aiello, president of the Memorial Health Board of Directors. “His dedication and commitment to the well-being of the people of central Illinois has had a tremendous impact on so many lives.”

Mission-focused

When Curtis began his career, Memorial was a standalone hospital serving Springfield and the surrounding area, and it had just become a teaching institution affiliated with the newly established Southern Illinois University School of Medicine.

Today, nonprofit Memorial Health encompasses five hospitals, as well as home health, hospice, behavioral health and primary and specialty care physician services that serve the entire central Illinois region.

Curtis oversaw much of that growth during his time as CEO and during his earlier role as chief operating officer. The organization’s cautious and strategic approach to hospital and service line affiliations helped it grow sustainably, working closely with the existing board leadership of each institution that came into the Memorial fold.

He credits “the compelling nature of the mission” – to improve lives and build stronger communities through better health – with attracting not only talented board members, but also employees, medical staff and volunteers to Memorial.

Community-focused

Throughout his career, Curtis has worked to extend the organization’s mission through partnerships with other organizations in the community.

Foremost among that group is Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, whose campus neighbors Springfield Memorial Hospital. Over the past few decades, Memorial and SIU have partnered in many areas, and today SIU faculty and Memorial personnel work side-by-side not only in the organization’s hospitals but also in a variety of outpatient and research settings. In 2019, Curtis was appointed by Illinois governor J.B. Pritzker to serve on the Southern Illinois University Board of Trustees.

“I’m very proud of the relationship we have with SIU, and the role we’ve played together in elevating the level of care in the region,” Curtis said, noting that the presence of the medical school has gradually transformed the local economy and made Springfield a destination for high-quality healthcare.

He has served as a mentor for many local students hoping to pursue medical careers over the years – something that hasn’t slowed down as retirement approaches. Currently, he’s providing guidance and advice to 120 current and prospective medical students.

Curtis also served 10 years on the board of the Illinois Health and Hospital Association, including a term as chair.

He has been deeply involved in community causes, and chaired the boards of the Springfield Urban League, United Way of Central Illinois and Central Illinois Foodbank. He encourages members of the Memorial Health leadership team to seek out ways to serve causes they’re passionate about and support local organizations that work to address social determinants of health.

“If they’re not able to fulfill their mission, we can’t fulfill ours,” he said.

Curtis will retire on March 31, as new president and CEO Mandy Eaton, PhD, takes the helm. He plans to spend more time with his family, especially his five grandchildren, all of whom live in the Springfield area.

While his involvement with Memorial Health is coming to an end, he feels strongly that the organization is in good hands.

“I’m in awe of the people who work at Memorial,” he said. “I’ve always said our greatest strength is our people, and their shared commitment to doing what’s best for the people and communities we serve.”

“That will carry on, no matter who is leading Memorial,” he added.