Board member Tom Schmuecker honored for 30 years of service

BRMC President and CEO Ron Peterson presented a plaque to retiring hospital board member Tom Schmuecker during a ceremony in his honor. It will be hung in the hospital to commemorate his 30 years of service.

Mountain Home businessman Tom Schmuecker was honored at Baxter Regional Medical Center yesterday for 30 years of service on the hospital Board of Directors. He retired from the Board earlier this year.

"A servant’s heart would be an apt description when discussing Tom Schmuecker’s 30 years of service to the hospital,” stated Ron Peterson, BRMC President & CEO. “Tom has been an important part of planning and improving the footprint that makes up today’s hospital,” Peterson said.

Tom Schmuecker was elected to the hospital Board of Directors in 1986 and is the longest serving board member. Throughout the years, he has served as Board Chairman and Vice-Chairman, along with serving on several Board Committees.

Due to his long tenure on the Board of Directors, Tom served as the unofficial historian since he was part of numerous Board decisions throughout his 30 years of service. His input was solicited by fellow Board members and Administration on numerous occasions when additional insight was needed regarding past activities. When called upon, Tom was always able to provide valuable background information on Board actions and expand on decisions beyond what was recorded in the "official" meeting minutes.

Calvin Czeschin, past Board Chairman said, "We had just gone through a break up between Methodist and Baxter and were somewhat depleted of Board members. I knew Tom to be a good businessman who created a good product at Wapsi Fly and had very happy customers. I brought him on board and he was Vice-Chairman for all of the 15 years I served. He was always helpful on the Board and is a good man,” Czeschin said.

Some of the highlights during Tom's service included bringing Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to the Radiology Department, watching the hospital grow from 151 beds in the late 1980s to the current 268 beds, and the completion of the Medical Arts, Home Health and Hospice buildings. Other growth includes of the Cline Emergency Center remodel, a six story tower, 187 space parking deck, expansion in the Women and Newborn Care Center, Cardiac Care Center and the four Community Health Education and Support Houses.

"Tom has been part of where we stand today with 19 BRMC specialty clinics, growth in our secondary markets outside of Baxter and Marion County and one of the most technologically advanced hospitals in the state of Arkansas,” Peterson stated.

Friends gathered yesterday to honor Tom Schmuecker for 30 years of dedicated service to the hospital board. Tom is seated with his wife, Ann.

Upon his retirement from the Board, Tom Schmuecker will be greatly missed along with the vast insight, knowledge, and history of the Board that retires with him. Thank you for your service, Tom, from a grateful community.