The Perry Memorial Hospital Board of Directors announces Annette Schnabel, President/CEO’s resignation was accepted with regret by the Board of Directors on April 2, 2020. She will remain in her leadership role at Perry until May 8, 2020. Annette has accepted a position as President of Parkland Health Center in Farmington, Missouri with BJC HealthCare.
Annette first joined the Perry executive team in December 2014 as the VP/Chief Operations Officer after 28 years in healthcare with 18 years in healthcare administration. In May 2016, she assumed the role of Perry's President/CEO, the 13th hospital leader since 1920.
From day one, Annette led by prioritizing Perry, Princeton, and the surrounding communities. She used her energy in the community recognizing Perry's role in it. She rarely missed an opportunity to show her community spirit at hospital-hosted or sponsored events. Annette has been active in the community as a member of the Princeton Rotary Club, the Main Street Revitalization Steering Committee, the City of Princeton Bike Pedestrian Commission, the Z-Tour Planning Committee, the Women’s Inspired Network, and the Freedom House Board of Directors.
Annette understood the importance of anticipating healthcare needs and planning for long-term changes in the industry. She knew it would take time and careful planning to transform a small hospital like Perry to maintain local healthcare for another 100 years. Annette invested in a strategy of small shifts and big moves, slowly but consistently moving Perry onto a path to long-term success and sustainability.
Under her leadership, Perry reintroduced primary care clinics in our outlying communities of Walnut and Henry. Annette oversaw the recruitment of four physicians, six nurse practitioners, and one physician’s assistant for primary care needs, and expanded the Family Health Clinic to a new facility. Annette understood the need for access to specialty services provided by orthopedics, podiatry, general surgery, and dozens of visiting specialty providers. She led the expansion of Perry’s role in mental health services, applying for grants and fostering services and collaborations to provide care for residents of all ages and needs.
Annette has used her strong strategic vision and understanding of healthcare dynamics to prepare the Board and hospital leadership for the changes ahead. Even after four years, the journey is far from over. Schnabel stated, “It has been a privilege to have served at Perry along with this exceptional staff. I appreciate Perry’s Board of Directors and the City Council for coming together to plan for the next phase of healthcare in Princeton and surrounding communities.” The Perry Board and the City of Princeton will continue to consider the future of Perry—including the ongoing discussions with OSF Healthcare—with the knowledge, tools, and mindset Annette has helped to bring to the organization.
Linda Gustafson, Perry Board of Directors Chair, stated, “Annette brought many ideas and processes to Perry Memorial Hospital that have greatly improved our hospital’s ability to provide excellent care for the families whom we serve. We wish her the best in her new position and her continued career in healthcare.”
The Perry Board will immediately start a search for an interim CEO.