HealthLinc, a federally qualified health center in northern Indiana, announced the retirement of its long-time chief executive officer, Beth Wrobel, at the end of 2023. Wrobel has been at the helm since 2002 and guided the organization from a single, free medical clinic to a federally qualified health center with twelve clinics, two school-based telehealth clinics, one mobile medical/dental clinic and over 450 employees. She has also opened two full-service pharmacies under HealthLinc RX and plans for additional pharmacies in the future.
“It has been my honor to lead a staff of dedicated people who are all committed to the same goal of making sure everyone has access to quality health care, regardless of their circumstance,” states Wrobel.
The HealthLinc Board of Directors has contracted with The Meyers Group, an executive search firm headquartered in Bethesda, MD, to assist in the search for a new CEO. They specialize in placing “c” level executives in the healthcare space and have done extensive work with Indiana Primary Health Care Association (IPHCA) and other federally qualified health centers in Indiana.
“Finding the next leader for HealthLinc is a big challenge,” states Chris Atherton, HealthLinc Chairman of the Board. “Beth has a depth of knowledge and experience in the healthcare industry that is not easily replaced. Balancing limited budgets and federal guidelines with the ever-changing and expanding need for health care is a daunting task and one that Beth has done successfully for over twenty-one years.”
“We are honored to be given the opportunity to work with the HealthLinc Board, staff, and Community Leaders to find a terrific successor to Beth to lead HealthLinc forward into the future,” states Dr. Stuart Meyers, President, The Meyers Group. “We have worked with many similar mission-driven organizations throughout Indiana and across the country, and HealthLinc is truly one of the most successful systems with which we have worked! This opportunity will be tremendously appealing to healthcare executives who wish to lead a dynamic system of care in such a great community as Valparaiso. We are quite confident we will be able to provide the Board and community at large with a strong slate of candidates from which to select their next CEO in the coming few months.”
During her tenure, Wrobel has expanded the reach of HealthLinc throughout the region adding clinics and expanding existing clinics. HealthLinc currently offers primary medical, pediatric, obstetrics, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy, medical-legal partnership and community outreach services throughout their clinics as well as optometry, chiropractic and podiatry services at some locations.
Embracing innovative programs, Wrobel has added medication-assisted treatment programs and mobile integrated response teams for substance use disorders. She has placed social workers within local police departments to work with law enforcement both internally and on non-life-threatening interactions. To combat social determinants of health, Wrobel has added telehealth, remote patient monitoring, food distribution services and patient transportation programs to HealthLinc’s services.
Wrobel’s outstanding leadership skills were also on display when she guided the organization through the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It was the most challenging two years of my career,” states Wrobel. “The entire organization came together to allow operations to continue while minimizing risk to staff and patients.”
Wrobel is often seen in Washington D.C. and Indianapolis, working with elected officials and fighting for legislation that expands access and strengthens healthcare services.
“It has been an honor to work with such a dynamic force,” states Kristi Figg, long-time board member, and former HealthLinc board chair. “Beth’s commitment to the mission of creating healthy communities is rooted in compassion and a deep belief that everyone has a right to quality health care. She is an amazing leader and has positioned HealthLinc for success well into the future.”
Interested applicants can find the HealthLinc CEO position information on The Meyers Group website at https://www.mr-themeyersgroup.com/valparaiso-indiana-ceo-healthlinc.
For more information on HealthLinc, contact Jodie Wexelberg at jwexelberg@healthlincchc.org .
About HealthLinc
HealthLinc, Inc. (healthlincchc.org) is a not-for-profit Federally Qualified Health Center that provides primary medical, dental, optometry, and behavioral health services to people of all ages regardless of a patient’s ability to pay. 1996 HealthLinc began as Hilltop Neighborhood House, a neighborhood clinic and childcare center in Valparaiso, IN. Since then, HealthLinc has expanded to twelve clinics, two telehealth clinics, and one mobile medical/dental clinic. HealthLinc accepts Medicare, Medicaid, Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP), and most commercial insurance plans, and provides care for uninsured patients. Services will be provided on a sliding fee scale based on household size and income, regardless of a patient’s insurance status.
