Published on February 02, 2012

Ed Olson Announces Retirement From ProHealth Care

WAUKESHA, WI – Ed Olson, the longest serving member of ProHealth Care’s Senior Executive Team, has announced his plans to retire after 30 years of outstanding service.

Since 2010, Olson has served as chief external affairs officer.   For eight years prior to that, he was president and chief executive officer of Waukesha Memorial Hospital.  He has been with Waukesha Memorial and ProHealth Care since 1982.

Olson said that after nearly 40 years in health care administration, he was looking forward to having the freedom to pursue new professional, personal, volunteer and family interests.  He intends to retire on Feb. 29, though he has agreed to continue to work with ProHealth Care in a volunteer capacity as a senior adviser on community affairs, philanthropic activities and other matters.

“Ed Olson has made enormous contributions to our organization and the communities we serve,” said Susan Edwards, ProHealth’s chief executive officer.  “His commitment to excellent quality and service has set a high standard for health care delivery here.”

Olson’s list of accomplishments is long.  He was instrumental in the development of the D.N. Greenwald Center in Mukwonago, the Rehabilitation Hospital of Wisconsin and, more recently, the Waukesha Community Health Center now under construction in downtown Waukesha.  Ed led the formation of physician partnerships in the ProHealth-Moreland Ambulatory Surgery Center and the Orthopedic Surgery Center.  He was part of the executive team that managed the transformation of Waukesha Memorial Hospital into a leading tertiary care center, bringing open-heart surgery, neonatal intensive care and the Regional Cancer Center to the Waukesha service area.

“I am most proud of my 30-year association with the people of Waukesha Memorial Hospital and ProHealth Care who have lived our values of responding to the needs of the community and each other with excellent service, respect and compassion,” Olson said.  “I am grateful if I have played some small role in the success of our amazing organization.”