Class of 1980 | Greenfield-Central High School
Rick Edwards is Vice President and CFO of Hancock Health and Hancock Regional Hospital. He has worked there since 1991. He is accountable for the leadership and administration of the hospital’s fiscal functions and operations in the areas of finance and information management, building services, nutritional services, Hancock Wellness Center, Health Information Services, property management, and performance improvement.
Rick began his schooling at Eden Elementary School. He adored Mrs. Lewicki and Mrs. Parrish and learned much from them. He is especially fond of his time at Maxwell because that is where he learned to love math, due to the influence of Mr. Paul and Mr. Janelsen. These teachers became mentors to him, and along with Mr. Watkins and Mr. Hurley, they gave him an example of the kind of person he desired to become. High school teachers helped move him into preparation for college. “Mrs. Pasco’s business course was especially the foundation that made me enjoy and love finance.”
After graduating from Greenfield-Central High School, Rick went on to receive his BA from Purdue, an MBA from the University of Indianapolis and additional hospital management and executive programs and certifications from other institutions and schools. Rick is a Fellow of the Healthcare Finance Management Association and a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. He has established a strong foundation of knowledge, credentials and in-depth understanding allowing him to adapt and grow to meet the needs of an ever changing healthcare environment.
Rick has become an exceptional leader. Dianne Osborne, his nominator and Board Trustee of Hancock Regional Hospital, says, “ Professionally, he is greatly responsible for the excellent financial condition of Hancock Health in a challenging national healthcare environment. His prudent stewardship of the organization’s finances, accounting, facilities and multiple services distinguishes Hancock Health among its peers.” Rick’s remarkable leadership and administration of the hospital’s budget and over 900 employees has been noticed and greatly appreciated.
Rick’s servant heart also is displayed in his willingness to be extensively involved in his community. Rick has chosen to be actively engaged with Mohawk United Methodist Church, the American Red Cross (he was named an Outstanding Volunteer in 1995), the Boys and Girls Club of Hancock County, the Set A Good Example Foundation, and the Hancock County Community Foundation (HCCF). While on HCCF’s Board of Directors, he also served as its Chairman and in other committee roles. Rick served with the Healthcare Financial Management Association for 8 years.
Rick believes his career with Hancock Health to be fantastic and a great opportunity to make a difference for future generations to come. He firmly believes that the Lord has given us each individual strengths. He is using his strengths to make things better for a community that he and his family love. It is very satisfying. That attitude is why Dianne believes Rick exemplifies the servant leader described in Robert K Greenleaf ‘s essay The Servant as Leader which says, “A servant-leader focuses primarily on the growth and well-being of people and the communities to which they belong. The servant-leader shares power, puts the needs of others first and helps people develop and perform as highly as possible.”
Rick loves working and living in the community where he grew up and enjoying continued friendships from his school days. He met his wife Susan here. He is proud of his community and the deep roots his family has here. They recently chose to invest even more in their community and the future of its citizens by establishing the Rick P. and Susan J. Edwards Community Development Fund with the Hancock County Community Foundation. Rick says, “It is a great honor to be included in the Alumni Hall of Fame.” He and his wife have two adult sons, Ethan and Luke.
Dianne concludes, “Rick lives and works each day as a quiet, humble servant leaders reflecting positive light on Greenfield and Hancock County.” Thank you, Rick!