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Director of Operations at Dickinson County Healthcare System retires

IRON MOUNTAIN – After a career that has spanned 25 years at Dickinson County Healthcare System, Jeff Gussert has retired; March 27 was his last day on the job.

Gussert joined DCH System in 1989 as manager of the laboratory services department. In 1992 he was promoted to director of operations/chief operations officer, the position he held until his recent retirement.

As director of operations he was responsible for the following departments: Radiology / Imaging, Cardiac Diagnostics, Laboratory Services, Pharmacy, Wound Care / Hyperbaric Medicine, Rehabilitation Services, Quality / Risk Management, Sleep Center, Respiratory Care, Durable Medical Equipment, Human Resources, and Public Relations / Marketing. He also had significant experience in the oversight of Physician Services and Home Health.

“Jeff has worked hard on behalf of our healthcare system throughout the past 25 years,” said John Schon, administrator/CEO. “As busy as he was, he was always willing to take on more responsibility. He has helped our health care system accomplish tremendous growth and change.”

“Jeff has been great to work for and has always been supportive of his staff,” commented one of his many department managers. “He was there whenever you needed him to help sort out a particular challenge yet allowed you to manage your areas of responsibility. He has always had the ability to see the big picture and to lead his managers to solutions by helping them share that broader vision. And he has taken a sincere and personal interest in each and every one of us; you knew he cared.”

In a farewell message to his staff, Gussert stated the following, “This was not an easy decision to retire and what made it difficult was losing contact with each of you on a daily basis. Each of you and your staff are the key to the overall success of DCHS and to that end you should be proud. Every person plays a vital role in the success of our hospital on a daily basis.”

Gussert brought both education and experience to his position. Prior to joining DCH System, he had served as financial manager at Borgess Medical Center in lower Michigan from 1977-1989, overseeing a level one trauma center and an outpatient surgical center.

A native of Kingsford and a Kingsford High School graduate, he earned dual bachelor’s degrees in medical technology and healthcare management from Michigan Tech University and Ferris State University respectively.

He also completed an MBA degree with an emphasis in management at Western Michigan University.

Jeff and wife, Lynne, currently live in Kingsford. They have two daughters, Erin and Carly, who both live in Brooklyn, N.Y. He has been a member of St. Mary Queen of Peace Church for 63 years.

He is a current member of the Economic Development Association for Dickinson County and president of the board of directors at Pine Grove Country Club.

He is an avid outdoorsman. Retirement plans include travel, catching up on projects around the house, more time in the woods and on the golf course, and fishing the rivers and lakes of the U.P.

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