PICKENS — Health care has undergone many changes over the past 24 years, and Cannon Memorial Hospital CEO Norm Rentz has been part of the changing landscape.

When Rentz came to the hospital in 1992, Cannon had a small emergency room with only a part-time physician. By the late ‘90s, the Pickens community and Cannon Foundation board raised funding to more than double the size of the ER and added full-time physicians to the rotation. Other campaign drives allowed Cannon to purchase a state-of-the-art digital mammography machine, room renovations and upgraded equipment. With Rentz as lead, and with a highly qualified staff at his side, Cannon Memorial has continued to fill a crucial need for emergency needs, outpatient services, and in-patient care for the Pickens community.

As technology changed the medical arena, Rentz worked to ensure that Cannon Memorial continued to offer the most advanced technology appropriate for the hospital.

“Technology continues to grow at an amazing speed,” Rentz said. “Today, everything from a patient’s electronic records to our equipment requires advanced technology to stay ahead and continue to offer the best care to our patients. I am proud to say that we have been able to offer that at Cannon.”

Pickens mayor David Owens, left, presents retiring Cannon Memorial Hospital CEO Norm Rentz with a proclamation from the city at a retirement celebration held in his honor last week.

While as CEO, Rentz helped facilitate a relationship between AnMed Health and Cannon that dates back to 2009. An agreement in 2014 further integrated the systems. Since then, leaders in nursing, business services, human resources and other functions have implemented changes that have aligned the two organizations’ standards of care and business practices. On Monday, Cannon Memorial Hospital officially changed its name to AnMed Health Cannon. The relationship also enforces a shared commitment to providing seamless, high-quality health care services to residents of Pickens and surrounding communities.

The staff and Pickens community celebrated Rentz’s retirement on Oct. 25.

“I am proud of this hospital and staff,” he said. “It has been an honor to work for the hospital and help keep our community healthy by meeting their needs. I am looking forward to retirement and spending time with my family and friends. I wish to thank those who came out today for this retirement party. It humbles me that so many took the time to be with me today.”

Rentz will continue to be involved in the hospital as he transitions to a consultant role with the Cannon Memorial Foundation.

“The Cannon community has supported this hospital since it began in 1947,” Rentz said. “As our hospital continues to move toward the future, we plan to continue to engage those who see the need for us to remain a quality service for our area. Our future looks bright, and we plan on being here for our community and its health care needs.”