CentraCare — Willmar CEO Mike Schramm announces retirement – West Central Tribune

WILLMAR — After nearly 30 years in the healthcare organization industry, CentraCare — Willmar President Mike Schramm announced he will retire, effective Jan. 4, 2025.

Schramm’s career in Willmar began in 2009 when he became CEO of the city’s Rice Memorial Hospital, according to a CentraCare news release.

In 2018, he was named co-CEO of Carris Health, an entity that was created by the merger of Rice Memorial Hospital and Affiliated Community Medical Centers into a subsidiary of CentraCare, which later incorporated Family Practice Medical Center of Willmar.

Early the following year, Family Practice Medical Center of Willmar entered into a professional services agreement with Carris Health, according to West Central Tribune archives.

According to a press release, Schramm has served as president of the company, now known as CentraCare — Willmar, since 2019.

According to West Central Tribune archives, the Carris Health name ceased to be used in 2022.

According to a statement from CentraCare, Schramm played a key role in ensuring smooth operations throughout the merger.

According to statements Schramm made in 2017 during one of many meetings at which the merger was discussed, the merger took place in 2018, but talks about it began several years earlier.

“Mike’s vision, passion and commitment to the Willmar community were evident in many ways. His positive attitude toward the community and helping us navigate change are foundational to his leadership,” CentraCare CEO and President Ken Holmen, MD, said in a press release.

Schramm, a South Dakota native, worked at three different health care organizations in Minnesota, including as CEO of Meeker Memorial Hospital in Litchfield for seven years before being elected CEO of Rice, records show.

Outside of work, Schramm was active in the Willmar Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary Club and the Willmar Cardinals 100 Yard Sports Club.