The Visor

Legendary Considine leads Children’s Hospital for over thirty years

December 15, 2009

Peter DelMedico

Certain people in this world give all of their lives to the point that giving becomes their lives– people like Akronite and Hoban Knight, Bill Considine. Bill Considine is an Akron native who did more than just attend Hoban; he submerged himself in every value and endeavor it had to offer.

“Hoban gives a real life education beyond the books and classrooms,” Considine said.

After graduating in 1965, he attended the University of Akron and by his senior year represented the student body as their president. He also went on to win the University of Akron’s renowned Senior Man award. Two years later, he became a highly qualified Navy lieutenant with the Bureau of Public Health Manpower at the National Institute of Health in Bethesda, Maryland.

For the next several years he lived in North Carolina and worked at the University of North Carolina Memorial Hospital in Chapel Hill and held administrative positions in nearly every department. Then, he got an offer he could not refuse. At age 32 the position as President and CEO of Akron Children’s Hospital was granted to Considine.

Considine could not have known 10 years prior, when he was working in the laundry room at Children’s, that he would become the youngest President and CEO of a pediatric hospital in America. Fast-forward 30 years to the present: he is currently the country’s longest serving President and CEO. Now head of over 70 Children’s locations, he has a $750 million operation in his hands. However, almost anyone who has met him would agree he is more than qualified.

“Bill could have gone anywhere he wanted and he came here,” said Phil Maynard, Chairman of the Foundation Board at Children’s and a 1960 Hoban graduate.

“He is extremely passionate and professional with all of the countless responsibilities he takes hold of,” Maynard said.

In the past three decades, Considine has seen not just additions and reforms but the development of a world-class hospital. Revered by the community, he has truly made a name for himself. When Mayor Don Plusquellic needs someone to chair a committee he calls on Considine.

He has not only the support of the community but has gained the utmost respect by Children’s employees. He takes precious time out of his schedule to have lunch or even a midnight shift dinner with deserving employees.

“They call him Mr. C,” Maynard said.

Considine has taken each family that walks through the doors into his heart.

“I have made friends with thousands of families and treasure all the lessons they have taught me,” Considine said.

As a testament to his generosity, Considine and his wife Becky recently donated $1 million towards the development of the Rebecca D. Considine Clinical Research Institute.

“Hoban taught me an importance of dreaming that anything can be done, but it must start with a dream,” Considine said.

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