Former hospital CEO leaves lasting legacy in Findlay

Those who knew Bill Ruse described him as leaving an immense legacy in Hancock County health care, and in the community as a whole. Ruse, chief executive of Blanchard Valley Hospital from 1964 to 2000, died Aug. 30 at age 87. Donna Ruse, his wife of 66 years, remembers her husband's dedication to hard work starting young, when he delivered the Cleveland Plain Dealer in a wagon at age 8 or 9. The two grew up in the same Cleveland neighborhood and attended the same grade school. The couple married while he was in pharmacy school at Ohio Northern University. Donna worked in the records department of Lima Memorial Hospital, and, soon after, Bill was offered a weekend job in the pharmacy. Later he became the chief pharmacist at the hospital. He took the chief pharmacist role at Blanchard Valley in 1960, taking on other duties as well, and becoming chief executive in 1964. Ruse's obituary noted that during his tenure with Blanchard Valley, the institution went from a single hospital to the system of two acute care hospitals (Findlay and Bluffton), nursing home, home health services, hospice services with an in-patient hospice unit, indigent care clinic and an occupational medicine division. Innovator in health In a January 2020 interview about a book he'd written on the history of the hospital, Ruse said he was proudest of keeping it independent, and leaving it in a financial position to stay that way. More and more health care organizations are part of larger conglomerates, but "you can't contribute to the community" in the same way "if you're part of somebody else," he said. Donna said "it was so important to him" that Blanchard Valley not be usurped by a larger hospital chain. Dr. William Kose, vice president of special projects at Blanchard Valley Health System, said maintaining independence also meant ensuring a good financial position. This, in turn, allowed Blanchard Valley to invest more in technology, which made it easier to attract young doctors, Kose said. Kose himself arrived in Findlay as one of the "Columbus 10," a group of 10 physicians who had become friends in medical school and residency in Columbus, and wanted to practice together. Ruse brought them to Findlay in the 1970s, giving the community more specialty care options than were previously available. Kose later joined the hospital's board of trustees in 1977. In the 1990s, Ruse and the board approached him about being chief medical officer. In this role Kose worked with Ruse on budget and strategy issues. Kose recalled Ruse regularly arriving at work at 6:20 a.m., and staying until late in the evening. Blanchard Valley was among the first hospitals in the nation to become completely smoke-free, Kose noted. Ruse served on the boards of the Ohio Hospital Association and the American Hospital Association. Donna recalled being especially proud when he was one of just four people honored by the Ohio Hospital Association for having made a particular difference in health care in the 20th century. Kose, who remained friends with Ruse throughout his life, described him as "a continual learner." Ruse pursued further education throughout his career, including an Master of Business Administration and a law degree. About a decade ago, in his 70s, he decided to start a Ph.D. program. "And it wasn't to put the initials after his name," Donna said. "It was just something that he wanted to do." Ultimately, he ended up not completing the Ph.D. as it was taking up too much of his time. Continuing to care for a community Donna said when he retired from the hospital, he was happy — for a few months. Then, "he missed the hospital, and he was bored," she said. Ruse threw himself into other projects, such as serving on the board of the Hancock Historical Museum. He was also trustee emeritus of the University of Findlay and past chair of the Findlay-Hancock County Chamber of Commerce, among many other roles. He was a founding owner and board member of Buckeye State Bank and a member of the adjunct faculty in the College of Business and College of Pharmacy at the University of Findlay. "He wanted to do everything right for the city," Donna said. "He wanted to get people to work together." "What he did for our community — I can't put a price on it," said Stan Kujawa, who described Ruse as a mentor who offered business advice among other things. Later, they were among a group of friends who played cards together regularly. Kujawa described him as "a very hard-working individual." Another friend, Harold "Puck" Rowe, said he was struck by Ruse's intelligence, common sense and foresight, but particularly that "he cared about human beings." "Bill Ruse's footprints are huge in this community," Rowe said. "Not sure they'll ever be filled." The Ruses led the campaign to renew the levy for the Hancock County Board of Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services. "It was the first levy in our history that passed in 100% of the precincts," wrote Precia Stuby, director of the ADAMHS board, in an email. Ruse also spent his retirement years writing. The book on the history of the hospital was one of 10 he authored — one of them co-authored with his three granddaughters. Other topics ranged from technology to health care reform. He continued to keep up with changes to Medicare, as well as the law, into his 80s, Donna said. The hospital history book included some humor, such as the tale of the hospital's "first emergency patient" in the blizzard of 1978 — a cardinal that was found freezing outside the hospital entrance and was brought inside and placed in a match box. After pecking an attending physician's hand, the bird flew away after the blizzard subsided, but "I'm not sure he was officially discharged," Ruse wrote. He also had a keen interest in technology. "He was probably one of the first people who could see what smart phones were going to do," Kose said. Forever a Findlay fixture Kose said Ruse will be remembered as "really involved in the community," including not just the hospital but Hancock Public Health and the Rotary, among others. Ruse's obituary noted that he had been a Rotarian since 1983, and had served as the Findlay Rotary Club's president. Following two terms as an Assistant Governor of Rotary International, he served his three terms as Chairperson of the Assistant Governors Committee and was Governor for Rotary's District 6600 (67 clubs) for the 2003/2004 Rotary year. In 2022, he started the Ultra Seniors Online Rotary Club. He also led the effort to establish the mobile clinic that's now a part of Hancock Public Health. "He wanted a mobile unit for ages," Donna said. She said it took a long time to put the project together and secure funding, "but he was so happy to see that get accomplished." Hancock County Health Commissioner Karim Baroudi said the project was originally Ruse's idea, as he wanted to work further to prevent health issues after a career spent seeing patients come in long after they'd developed them. Baroudi said Ruse brought many people to the table, submitted grants and contributed financially himself. The mobile clinic was unveiled last year. First dedicating its efforts to giving out COVID-19 vaccines, the clinic now provides a variety of health screenings and education. Baroudi said a recent point of pride was setting up regular visits to City Mission of Findlay to connect the agency's clients with health care. "The day of his passing we were setting up at the fair," getting ready to show the public what the clinic was capable of now, Baroudi said. "It was a great celebration of his life and his legacy." Baroudi noted that Ruse's name is on the vehicle, and will be forever. His name also lives on in the William E. Ruse Center. Donna said her husband was particularly proud when the hospital named the building after him. Kose, meanwhile, reflected: "I mean, Bill's legacy is the culture of BVHS, I think." Arthurs: 419-427-8494