“Craig has contributed tremendously during his tenure at the helm of our health enterprise and medical school, as well as during his nearly 20 years in other leadership capacities at the University,” said Penn State President Eric Barron. “Both Penn State Health and the College of Medicine are experiencing a period of unprecedented growth and positive change, much of it coming under Craig’s thoughtful leadership. He will be missed by the students, faculty, physicians, nurses and staff who teach, learn and work alongside him.”
In his two decades at Penn State, Hillemeier has been instrumental in the expansion of the University’s academic medical center group into a clinical and academic operation that includes the Penn State College of Medicine, Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Penn State Children’s Hospital, Penn State Health St. Joseph in Berks County, Penn State Health Medical Group and various other health care entities. Today, the health enterprise serves more than 2.8 million people while roughly 1,000 students are enrolled in a variety of degree programs in the College of Medicine each semester.
“Serving as the dean and CEO of Penn State’s medical school and health system has been the most rewarding opportunity of my professional career,” said Hillemeier. “I have had the privilege to work closely with many talented and dedicated people who continue to make the well-being of others their central focus. I will never forget them. I leave Penn State with confidence that the College of Medicine and Penn State Health are both well-positioned for continued growth and success.”
Hillemeier joined Penn State in 2001 as chair of pediatrics at the College of Medicine and medical director of Penn State Children's Hospital. He served as interim executive director of the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center in 2006 and subsequently became vice dean for clinical affairs at the Medical Center. He also served as director and chief operating officer of Penn State Health Medical Group from its inception in 2008.
After becoming dean and CEO in 2014, Hillemeier led efforts focused on patient care provided at Penn State Health hospitals and medical practices. In this capacity, he has played a pivotal role in shaping Penn State Health as a community-based health care network and in partnering with Highmark Health to improve access, quality and affordability of health care in the region.
Over the years, various external organizations have recognized Penn State Health’s continued clinical excellence, patient safety and overall quality of care.
In the most recent publication of its Hospital Grades for Patient Safety, the Leap Frog Group has recognized both Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and St. Joseph Medical Center with ‘A’ Grades for Patient Safety. Both the Children’s Hospital and Hershey Medical Center have earned consistent recognition among U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospital rankings.
In addition, Hillemeier presided over the successful reaccreditation of the College of Medicine by the Liaison Committee for Medical Education and the creation of a revised medical school curriculum. This modern curriculum maintains Penn State’s legacy and leadership in the medical humanities and clinical training while introducing an innovative health systems science education designed to prepare future health professionals for the complexities of practicing medicine in the 21st century.
Today, he is leading efforts to foster innovation and expansion of the research and education missions of the College of Medicine through plans for a proposed Innovation Pavilion on the Hershey campus. The new building will bring research initiatives and learning spaces together to bolster modern scientific discovery and teaching.
Hillemeier helped lead the growth of Penn State Children’s Hospital and an expansion of services and specialties. At the time Hillemeier joined the organization in 2001, the Children’s Hospital was a unit on the seventh floor of the Hershey Medical Center. In 2012, he oversaw the development and opening of the Children's Hospital as a distinct pediatric acute care facility that has consistently earned national recognition for its clinical excellence. In 2020, an expansion project will be completed to add a new labor and delivery unit and post-partum patient rooms, new neonatal intensive care unit, and a new pediatric acute care unit.
Hillemeier also served as the inaugural vice dean for clinical affairs and chief operating officer of what is now Penn State Health Medical Group, helping to facilitate the expansion of clinical services to patients across central Pennsylvania and shape what has become one of the fastest growing components of the Penn State Health system.
Among his volunteer experiences, in 2018, he served as the chairman of the United Way of the Capital Region campaign and served as vice chair of the campaign the previous year. In 2017, he was named the Business Diversity Champion of the Year by the Harrisburg Regional Chamber and CREDC for his leadership in promoting diversity and inclusion at the Medical Center and College of Medicine.
As dean and CEO, Hillemeier implemented the “Rooney Rule,” a concept named for the late Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney and used by the NFL in an effort to hire more coaches of color. In the case of Penn State Health and Penn State College of Medicine, the rule requires that at least one minority candidate be actively considered for any senior leadership position before the position can be filled.
Hillemeier earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Iowa; Doctor of Medicine from Loyola University Medical School, where he also completed a residency in pediatrics; and a pediatric gastroenterology fellowship at Yale University of Medicine. He is board certified in pediatrics and pediatric gastroenterology and is a former chair of the American Board of Pediatrics.
In retirement, Hillemeier said he is looking forward to spending more time with friends and family. His second grandchild is due in March. He plans to remain active in his community through volunteer and service opportunities.