Julie Chikowski recently accepted the position of combined administrator for the Lafayette Manor and Memorial Hospital of Lafayette County. The board offered her the position on Tuesday, Nov. 27.
    “I am excited and honored to have the opportunity to work with these organizations and look forward to meeting new friends and colleagues and leading a team of great people to do great things in the health care and long term care arena,” said Chikowski.
    Chikowski is currently a practice administrator for a large pulmonary, critical care and sleep practice in the Fox Valley, Appleton area that also provides services at five locations, including three critical access hospital locations.
    Chikowski has been at her current job for five years and said she has a great relationship with both the providers and staff. “I will miss them all, but am very excited about this new opportunity,” she said.
    Chikowski has an extensive background in healthcare with experience as a social worker, HR manager, nursing home administrator and a physician practice manager. She said she has many years of experience in the nursing home business. Chikowski has also worked with Lafayette County for several years as a consultant on various projects.
    “I have worked very closely with Sherry and the board. When I heard that Sherry was retiring, I decided to put my name in the hat for consideration, as this combined position offers me the opportunity to work with the great teams at both the hospital and the nursing home to strive to better meet the health care needs of all,” said Chikowski.
    Chikowski started orienting on Friday, Nov. 30 and will continue to do so every Friday until she concludes her current job. Then towards the end of December she will be able to come in more often.
    Chikowski will start the combined administrator job full time after the first of the year, once Sherry Kudronowicz, the current administrator, retires.  Regarding her replacement, Kudronowicz said “I am very excited about the future of Memorial Hospital of Lafayette County and Lafayette Manor under her leadership.”
    Chikowski said she will be working a flex schedule that will allow her to be at the seasonal boat landing, bait shop and small resort called Chico’s Landing that she owns and operates with her husband in Fremont, Wis. on some Fridays.