News and Announcements

Ollie Smith (middle), Pat Schou, ICAHN Executive Director, and Ted Rogalski, ICAHN 2023 Board President

Article by Michael Harrison, Horizon Health, PR/Marketing Associate

Horizon Health congratulates Ollie Smith, president & CEO, who received the 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network (ICAHN) at its annual conference in Champaign.

ICAHN is a network of 59 small, rural hospitals dedicated to strengthening the operations of its members through collaboration. The Lifetime Achievement Award is ICAHN’s highest honor, praising visionary leadership and dedicated service to rural healthcare.

“Ollie is a born leader and advocate for his community and hospital,” said Pat Schou, ICAHN executive director. “He has expanded the imprint of Horizon Health throughout the region, improving access and services. Ollie is one of a kind – smart, likable, visionary, engaging, and a good problem-solver. He is what is best in rural health leadership and someone you would want to lead your team.”

Ollie’s career at Horizon Health spans nearly 40 years. Under his leadership, the organization has completed numerous building projects, including the EZ Care/North American Lighting (NAL) Health Clinic, Paris Clinic expansion, Rehabilitation Services building, Life Center, and Dialysis Center.

He established Horizon Health’s own rural health system, expanding services beyond Edgar County. He grew the organization’s specialty services and guided major technology upgrades, including next-generation radiology services.

Ollie’s extensive community involvement includes service on the Human Resources Center (HRC) Board of Directors and Edgar County Public Health Board of Directors. He served on the

ICAHN Board of Directors for six years and was an original charter member of the Illinois Rural Community Care Organization (IRCCO).

Early Days

Ollie began his career at Paris Community Hospital as a pharmacist in 1985. In 2001, he was named vice president of human resources and professional services, in addition to his pharmacy director role. He was promoted to senior vice president in 2013 and named president and chief executive officer a year later.

Ollie earned his pharmacy degree from Butler University and worked for Eli Lilly and Company before returning to Edgar County to help with the family farm in Hume.