Clarkson Regional Health Services (clarksonregional.com), founded by Bishop Robert Clarkson in 1869, was originally established as Omaha’s first hospital by Clarkson and his wife, Meliora. It was later renamed Bishop Clarkson Memorial Hospital in their honor.
Following a leadership transition, the organization is shifting its mission. Dr. Jim Canedy, an orthopedic surgeon, has retired as the nonprofit’s president and CEO, with Dr. Bill Lydiatt, a head and neck surgical oncologist and former chief medical officer with Methodist Health System, stepping into the role.
Speaking about the mission change, Lydiatt stated, “Our mission is no longer to directly provide health services, but more to support different ways of improving access to high-level care.. We’re very focused on maintaining and developing high-quality care and trying to reduce costs when possible.”
To fulfill this new mission, the organization is focusing on grant-making, donations, internal project development, and leveraging data to assess the effectiveness of its initiatives.