Upland Hills Health CEO Lisa Schnedler Retires After 12 Years of Transformative Leadership

After 12 years of dedicated service and leadership, Lisa Schnedler is stepping out of her role as President and Chief Executive Officer of Upland Hills Health and into well-deserved retirement.

During her tenure, Schnedler guided the organization through a period of tremendous growth and change, helping expand services, strengthen community trust, and cultivate a culture of compassionate care.

Schnedler took the helm of Upland Hills Health in 2013. During her tenure, UHH welcomed the Dodgeville and Mineral Point Medical Centers into the organization, added a number of specialty services, and launched new clinics in Mineral Point and Mount Horeb. Under Schnedler’s leadership, the health system navigated the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, celebrated its 50th anniversary, and began planning for a new senior living project and campus renovation. Those who worked closest with her, though, say it is her impression on staff, patients and the community that will leave a lasting legacy.

“Lisa has helped build a culture of caring at Upland Hills Health – something we hear about often as members of the Board of Trustees,” said Jim Massey, Board Chairman. “Yes, we built new structures, renovated buildings and planned more projects during the past dozen years, but it is the people that make our organization special. And we can thank Lisa for helping us build that special culture within our employees.”

Massey added, “One of the biggest developments during Lisa’s tenure was folding the Dodgeville and Mineral Point Medical Centers into our organization. We also added many specialty services and survived a worldwide pandemic, thanks to Lisa’s leadership. I can’t count the number of times I have heard, ‘We are so lucky to have a hospital of this caliber in our community.’ That is a true statement – and it is because of the work Lisa has done.”

Dr. Charlie Pearce, Vice President of Medical Affairs, reflected on Schnedler’s influence: “Lisa is the definition of a transformative leader; she has expertly shaped, supported and grown Upland Hills Health during her tenure. The center of gravity of her leadership has been her relentless advocacy for the community we serve – driving all of us to keep care local, personal, and of the highest quality. Quite personally, Lisa is the longest and most dedicated mentor of my professional life, having left an indelible mark of both great depth and breadth. I can’t thank her enough.”

Looking back on her career, Schnedler expressed deep gratitude to the community and team she has led.

“Serving Upland Hills Health and the people of this community has been one of the greatest honors of my life,” Schnedler said. “Together, we have expanded services, strengthened trust in rural healthcare, and built a culture of caring that will carry forward for years to come. I am proud of what we accomplished and excited to see UHH continue to thrive in the future.”

The Upland Hills Health Board of Trustees has worked with Schnedler to ensure a smooth transition for incoming CEO Dr. Mark Thompson. Dr. Thompson is an accomplished healthcare executive with more than 25 years of experience in leading integrated healthcare systems in Wisconsin and elsewhere. He will begin his new role on Sept. 15.