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 and a graduate of Lanphier High School, had been inspired to become a registered nurse after witnessing the compassionate care a family member received during a hospital stay. After graduating with a nursing degree from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, he took a bedside nursing position on the nephrology/urology/transplant unit at his hometown hospital, then known as Memorial Medical Center.
Fifty years later, Curtis – now president and CEO of Memorial Health, the regional organization that includes Springfield Memorial Hospital – is looking back on a career of remarkable longevity as he prepares to retire in March 2025.
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 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 board of directors of Memorial Health. “His dedication and commitment to the well-being of the people of central Illinois has had a tremendous impact on so many lives.”
When Curtis began his career, Memorial was a standalone hospital serving mostly Springfield residents. 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 under former CEO Robert Clarke. Throughout his career, he has worked to extend the organization’s mission through collaboration with other organizations in the community.
Foremost among that group is Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, which was founded just before Curtis joined Memorial. 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.
His relationship with SIU includes serving as a mentor for many local students hoping to pursue medical careers – something that hasn’t slowed down as retirement approaches. At the moment, he’s providing guidance and advice to 120 current and prospective medical students.
“Ed Curtis is one of the rare, true visionaries in health care,” said Dr. Jerry Kruse, dean and provost of SIU School of Medicine. “His balanced understanding of all issues has been the stimulus for the astounding growth and the high level of excellence of health care services in Springfield and the central Illinois area…I cannot imagine a better advocate for education and innovation. He makes everyone and every organization around him better. He has built a vision that will extend far into the future.”
Under his leadership, Memorial Health has also maintained a strong relationship with Springfield Clinic. Curtis has been instrumental in negotiating agreements to bring Springfield Clinic physicians and other providers into new office and clinic space on the Springfield Memorial Hospital campus, creating further connections between the two organizations and strengthening ties with the medical staff. There are also Springfield Clinic facilities located on or near other Memorial hospital campuses across central Illinois.
He has also been deeply involved in community causes, as chair of 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.
He is currently the chair of the Springfield Sangamon Growth Alliance, where he champions the growth of the Mid-Illinois Medical District and pursues initiatives to strengthen the local economy.
“Ed understands the importance of having a robust regional economy,” said Ryan McCrady, president and CEO of the Springfield Sangamon Growth Alliance. “During his service as board chair to the SSGA, our community achieved billions of dollars of investment and significant job growth…the SSGA, our community and the entire region are better due to Ed’s presence and fervent commitment to its success.”
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.
At a retirement reception on March 20, the Board of Directors announced that they had voted to rename the Memorial Learning Center, which will celebrate its 10th
anniversary this year, in his honor. That facility provides education and simulation experiences for Memorial employees and medical staff as well as SIU faculty, residents and students; local first responders; military personnel; and other healthcare professionals from the area and across the nation.
“We felt it was a fitting way to honor Ed’s legacy and ensure his contributions are remembered by future generations,” Aiello said.
While his involvement with Memorial Health is coming to an end, Curtis 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’s leading Memorial,” he added.