LECOM Health Corry Memorial Hospital President & CEO Retires

LECOM Health Corry Memorial Hospital held a ceremony to recognize the accomplishments and career of former President & CEO, Barbara D. Nichols, R.N.

Nichols served as president & CEO from 2000-2023. After nearly 45 years of service, Barbara will retire on Friday, March 17th. 

Some highlights of Barbara's career include: 

• Started home health care in 1983
• Initiated Corry Ambulance Service in 1990
• Implemented Corry Ambulance Service Inc. in 1995
• Opened the oncology clinic in 1996Started hospice program in 1997
• Launched Garden of Life Opened the Geriatric Psych Unit with 10 beds, overseeing the building renovation and behavioral health unit in 2001
• Signed the lease agreement for Clymer Health Center in 2004 (now Clymer Rural Health Clinic)
• Led Corry Memorial Hospital to reach Critical Access Hospital status in 2005
• Planned the building of the new critical access hospital starting in 2008, which opened in 2012
• Oversaw Corry Memorial Hospital becoming part of LECOM Health in 2016
• Participated in the rural health clinics – first on York St. in 2016, then Corry’s new location in
  2019, Union City in 2020 and Clymer in 2021
• Upgraded 2D mammography to 3D mammography in 2019Implemented DEXA Scan in 2019
• Implemented Pet/CT mobile in 2021Started Low-Dose CT Lung Scans in 2021
• Participated in Parkside at Corry’s opening in 2021Reached Age-Friendly Health System status in 2022

Nichols said she's proud of all the changes she's made over the years, and couldn't have done it without hospital staff.

"When I started full time in '78, we had 96 licensed beds, we had patients in the halls," said Nichols. "Now every patient has a private room with their own bathroom, everything. There's a couch that people can turn into a bed and stay overnight if the family wants to."

Nichols was presented with a dedication plaque that will be displayed in the foyer of the Corry Memorial Hospital.