MANITOWOC COUNTY – The president of Aurora Medical Center-Manitowoc County, Cathie Kocourek, has announced she will retire in 2027 after a 51-year career.
“Cathie’s unwavering commitment and compassionate leadership has inspired generations of caregivers,” said Gabrielle Finely-Hazle, president of Aurora Health Care, in a news release April 24. “Her career reflects what it truly means to serve a community over a lifetime, and her legacy will be felt for years to come.”
From dietary aide to hospital president in Manitowoc County
Kocourek began her medical career as a teenager by working as a dietary aide for the old Manitowoc County Memorial Hospital.
“I loved it,” Kocourek said in a 2025 interview with the Herald Times Reporter. “I knew that was where I wanted to work. I enjoy helping people who might be at their very worst — that’s very rewarding to me.”
After graduating from Carroll College (now Carroll University) with a degree in medical technology, she started her career with Aurora Health Care in earnest.
Her time with the medical organization started as a laboratory medical technologist. She then advanced to head of medical services and culminated as president of Aurora Medical Center-Manitowoc County, a role she started in May 2010.
The release states: “Throughout her tenure, she has established a commitment to excellence through her leadership during defining moments and deep connections to the communities she has served.”
Leadership during COVID-19 and decades of community care
Some of Kocourek’s biggest contributions include guiding her teams through the COVID-19 pandemic; maintaining an unwavering focus on health and safety; mentoring and developing leaders through her deep clinical expertise; and building trusted, long-standing relationships through her devotion to patients and families, according to the release.
“Eventually, I will retire,” she said in 2025. “I have grandchildren in the area and things I’d like to do. But I don’t know when that will be. I’ve enjoyed the job and I’ve enjoyed working for Aurora. It’s been fun.”
What’s next as Aurora begins a yearlong leadership transition
A new president for Aurora Medical Center-Manitowoc County will be chosen and engage in an intentional leadership transition over the next year as Kocourek prepares to retire in 2027.
Alisa M. Schafer is a reporter for the Herald Times Reporter in Manitowoc County, part of the USA TODAY Network-Wisconsin. She can be reached by email at aschafer@usatodayco.com. Patti Zarling contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: Longtime Aurora leader Cathie Kocourek announces 2027 retirement
Reporting by Alisa M. Schafer, Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter / Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter
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