Schuster

Emmett C. Schuster is stepping in as the interim CEO for Good Shepherd Health Care System.

Good Shepherd Board of Trustees announced Schuster’s appointment in a press release Monday, Jan. 30. His first day is Feb. 13, but he is not a candidate for the permanent CEO position, according to Good Shepherd.

“The board of trustees is pleased to welcome Mr. Schuster as our interim CEO,” board Chair Sue Daggett said.

She said Schuster has a rural background with significant experience at rural hospitals. “In recent years, he has served as the interim leader at small hospitals in the Northwest, so we are confident he will be a good fit for our community,” Daggett said “Good Shepherd will be in good hands as we complete our search for a permanent CEO.”

The Good Shepherd press release details Schuster’s career and explains he worked as a hospital CEO for more than 25 years.

He led rural health care facilities with less than 50 beds. Also, he has headed up critical access hospitals with up to 25 beds, according to Good Shepherd.

He studied at the University of Kansas and is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

“Schuster retired from the U.S. Army as a colonel after 30 years, where he served with honor during Operation Iraqi Freedom, Desert Shield and Desert Storm,”

according to Good Shepherd. “While researching for our interview, I was very impressed with the large array of services Good Shepherd provides to its community,” Schuster said. “Good Shepherd is a forward-looking organization. There are many great services available to the public.”

Also, he expressed enthusiasm for meeting the rest of the Good Shepherd team and local communities.

“I am privileged to be asked to help keep the efforts moving forward,” he said.

CEO Brian Sims, whose last day at Good Shepherd is Feb. 10, also commented on Schuster. “I could not be more honored than to have someone of Emmett’s caliber to follow me,” he said. “Along with our executive team, Emmett will continue pursuing the projects already in place.”