After 48 years in emergency medical services Tri-Hospital EMS CEO Ken Cummings has announced he plans to retire later this year.
“Building Tri-Hospital EMS into the world-class agency that St. Clair County residents have relied on for more than 40 years has been an absolute honor,” Cummings said in a news release announcing his retirement. “I could not be prouder of our highly skilled team as they serve our communities with pride and excellence, and I have no doubt that they will continue and even grow in the future.“
Cummings has not set an exact date for his retirement, but said he expects his final day will be sometime in the summer. The plan is to give the Tri-Hospital EMS Board of Directors time to choose a new CEO, then have them work with Cummings to allow for a smooth transition.
The news release states the board has begun the search process for a new CEO. Cummings said he expects a candidate to be chosen in March for the position.
“There will certainly be big shoes to fill after Ken’s well-deserved retirement from Tri-Hospital EMS,” Kathleen McKenna, chair of the Tri-Hospital EMS Board, said in a news release. “Our board is committed to selecting the best EMS practitioner to build on the legacy and expectations Ken has created in order to continue the top-notch service and skilled care Tri-Hospital EMS is known for.”
Cummings’ career in emergency medical services began in 1978. He was in college and had family who worked in the field that inspired him to consider it as a job.
“Unemployment was skyrocketing and the economy was terrible,” Cummings said, leading to him taking a class on EMS. That led to his first job as an emergency medical technician, and eventually a career.
Cummings has been with Tri-Hospital EMS since it opened in 1983, providing ambulance services for St. Clair and Sanilac counties.
Cummings said he chose to retire now because he felt the organization was in a good place, allowing for a smooth transition for new leadership to bring in fresh ideas.
“That, combined with the fact that I’m not that young anymore,” Cummings said.
Cummings also serves as administrator of the St. Clair County Medical Control Authority, is Vice-Chair of the State of Michigan’s EMS Coordinating Committee and is a member of the Michigan Association of Ambulance Services board.
Contact Johnathan Hogan at jhogan@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: Tri-Hospital EMS CEO Ken Cummings to retire, ending 48-year EMS career
Reporting by Johnathan Hogan, Port Huron Times Herald / Port Huron Times Herald
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