Michael K. Winthrop, President & CEO to Retire After 32 Years

Michael K. Winthrop, president and chief executive officer of The Bellevue Hospital, will officially retire on Monday, Aug. 31 after 32 years of service to the local hospital, according to Thomas P. Barth, chairman of The Bellevue Hospital's Board of Trustees.

"Mr. Winthrop has been an integral part of the community and has provided the vision to expand health services, technology and facilities at the locally owned hospital," Barth said. "We appreciate all that he has accomplished during his tenure as president and CEO."

"Mr. Winthrop's caring nature and 'southern Illinois' upbringing has endeared him to everyone who has ever met or worked with him, thus earning him tremendous respect across the entire medical community," Barth added. 

Winthrop has been in the hospital's top position since September 1988. One of Winthrop's most memorable accomplishments was leading the planning, design and construction of the 50-bed, 130,000 square foot facility in 2005. The hospital had been located at 811 Northwest St. for more than 90 years. Winthrop and his team at TBH designed a state-of-the-art modern facility at the current 1400 W. Main Street location. 

Under Winthrop's leadership, the hospital also has provided expanded services in the Clyde area. The hospital's Great Lakes Physicians, a group of employed physicians, also was created to offer more services to the community. In 2018, Eagle Crest Health Park in Bellevue was opened which included expanded rehabilitation services and an Anytime Fitness Center. 

Prior to TBH, Winthrop was president and CEO of St. Mary's Hospital in Kankakee, IL. Winthrop has been in healthcare for 43 years.

Winthrop announced his retirement plans to TBH's Board of Trustees in 2019. Since that time, a search committee was formed and a process implemented to find the next president and CEO of The Bellevue Hospital, according to Barth. 

"As a locally owned community hospital, it was important to our Board of Trustees to find the right person to lead TBH through this ever-changing health care climate and also align with TBH's goal to remain independent," Barth said. 

As a result of the search process, an internal candidate, Timothy A. Buit, TBH's current Executive Vice President/Chief Financial Officer, was selected by The Bellevue Hospital's Board of Trustees. Buit will be promoted to the position of president effective Wednesday, July 1 and Winthrop will serve as Chief Executive Officer until he retires on Monday, Aug. 31. Then, Buit will officially take the reins as president and CEO on Tuesday, Sept. 1.

"Mr. Buit has been a dedicated member of the TBH family for more than 10 years and has extensive leadership and health care experience. The Board of Trustees believe Tim will carry on TBH's mission to remain a viable independent, community hospital."

As CFO, Buit currently provides leadership, direction and administration of all aspects of hospital operating and fiscal activities. Key duties include patient financial services, patient access, general accounting, budget and reimbursement, information systems, materials management, health information management, case management and physician practices. He also serves as a board member and treasurer of Community Health Services in Fremont; board member of The Bellevue Hospital Foundation and board member and treasurer of Bellevue Recovery and Support Services (B.R.A.S.S.)

"I am pleased to have a person of Tim's experience, background and reputation as my successor," Winthrop said. "Tim and I will continue to work together to ensure a smooth transition. He has my full support and will long after I retire."

To read Tim Buit's bio, visit: https://www.bellevuehospital.com/timothy-buit