HASTINGS — Longtime Mary Lanning Healthcare Board of Trustees member Cal Johnson has retired from his post.
Johnson, who is retired from his career in construction, land development, building materials and real estate, has served on the MLH board since 1990. He filled the seat left when his father, Harold R. Johnson, retired after 25 years of service to the board.
“My father set a good example for me,” Johnson said. “The MLH Board of Trustees is a rather small board with only seven members. As I grew up in Hastings and became an adult, I knew most all of the trustees. As William Lanning stated in the bylaws when he founded the hospital, board members are expected to serve out of a labor of love. I guess that was an inspiration for me to serve.”
Jeff Anderson, Board of Trustees chairman, said Johnson’s building construction experience was one of his main contributions over the years. Many construction projects were accomplished during Johnson’s tenure. These include:
- 1994: Construction of the Medical Services Building on the Mary Lanning campus.
- 1997: The demolition of the remaining original Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital building, and the construction of the Outpatient Surgery Center on the south and the ER expansion on the north.
- 1998: Construction of the Home Away From Home hospitality house.
- 2004: Construction of the Morrison Cancer Center.
- 2007: Construction of the Hastings Imaging Center.
- 2008: The Century Project began. The project involved the expansion of the surgery center, renovation of the patient floors and expansion of the north tower. It was completed in 2011.
The cost of all of these projects combined was around $60 million.
Johnson said that some of his satisfaction surrounding his service to the board is looking back at each of those projects and being proud of the spaces that were created to serve many different needs.
Johnson said the demolition of the original hospital building was probably the most difficult one in which he was involved.
“The building was a direct link and tie to William Lanning and his wife, Alice, to honor their daughter, Mary Lanning,” he said. “Even though it was a beautiful, historic building, it was going to be very difficult to renovate and try to keep it for a nostalgic point of view.”
Johnson said the demolition turned out to be the right move. He said he feels that the entire MLH campus appears to be architecturally connected, as if it was all built in one piece.
Anderson said that in addition to his construction knowledge, Johnson also brought good business and financial sense to the board. Johnson was involved in other organizations and his own personal investment ventures.
Over the years, Johnson said many issues were debated but the board always has been able to arrive at a consensus. He served as board chairman from 1998-2004.
“I formed very good friendships as the result of being a board member,” he said. “The hospital is one of the more important institutions in any community. Any of our board members must be willing to listen to input from community members, as well as physicians and hospital staff.”
“The future of Mary Lanning Healthcare with the present administration is bright,” Johnson said. “There is always some challenge in healthcare because it is in such a fluid state today, and healthcare is such a huge part of our economy.”
Johnson, whose last meeting with the MLH board was December 3, said serving on the board was a “very rewarding trip that I will cherish for the rest of my life.”