Born Here. Led Here. Rob McLin Prepares to Retire After 34 Years

When Rob McLin talks about Good Samaritan, there is a conviction in his voice that can only come from finding a calling he never expected. As he prepares to retire on January 6, 2026, after 34 years with the organization, including 15 as President and CEO, he reflects on a journey that began on a small farm near Bicknell, Indiana and evolved into one of the most influential health care leadership careers in southern Indiana. Born at Good Samaritan in 1963 and raised near Ragsdale as the oldest of four children, McLin never imagined he would one day lead the hospital where his life began. After earning a degree in accounting and management from Indiana State University, he began his career as an auditor for the IRS, first in Indianapolis and later in Lafayette. But when he and his wife Angie, both Knox County natives, welcomed their first child, the pull of home grew strong. A friend mentioned an opening for an internal auditor at Good Samaritan, and McLin took a chance, joining the hospital in 1992.

From the start, he was amazed by all the aspects of the hospital beyond patient care - the financial, operational and technological complexities – and quickly felt drawn to leadership. With the support of then-CEO John Hidde, he transitioned into administration, becoming Vice President of Professional and Support Services in 1995. Two years later, in 1997, he was promoted to Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Finance, a role that allowed him to blend his analytical strengths with his growing vision for the organization’s future. Thirteen years later, in 2010, he was named President and CEO. “Terrified and exhilarated,” was how he described stepping into the role. “Suddenly you’re the one everyone looks to. But I had ideas, and I was ready. My goal was to take what my predecessor, Matt Bailey, had developed at Good Sam and make it better—the same way Matt had done in his 10 years after assuming the role from John Hidde.”

Those ideas helped lead Good Samaritan through some of the most transformative years in its history. Early in his tenure, McLin oversaw the acquisition of the Medical Center of Vincennes and the employment of its physicians, an undertaking he once believed would stand as the largest of his career. But soon came the Beacon Project, the hospital’s most significant capital investment to date. From 2011 to 2015, he led the construction of the Gibault Memorial Tower and the new energy center, designing them with lessons learned from disasters like the Columbus flood and focusing on resilience, natural light, and patient-centered care.

Growth continued across the organization. Under his leadership, Good Samaritan implemented the Epic electronic health record, established residency programs in internal medicine and psychiatry, purchased the Bierhaus Center, launched its own EMS program, and expanded access to care through the Family Health Center, a Federally Qualified Health Center. Quality achievements flourished as well, including four Magnet designations and recognition as a Level III Trauma Center. And then came the challenge no CEO could fully prepare for, COVID-19. “There will never be another challenge like that,” he recalled. “The dedication of our staff, the way they cared for this community day after day, that stays with you.”

Despite never aspiring to politics, McLin became a respected statewide advocate through his years of service with the Indiana Hospital Association, eventually serving as chairman of the board in 2020. He was also recently honored with the Indiana Hospital Association’s Distinguished Service Award for his accomplishments at Good Samaritan and his efforts at the statehouse advocating with lawmakers. “If we don’t help lawmakers understand what it takes to run a hospital, who will?” he said. “Being honest, transparent, and educational—it makes a difference.”

For McLin, Good Samaritan has never been just an employer. It is where his children and grandchildren have been cared for, where three of his four grandchildren were born, and where he has personally undergone surgeries and treatment over the years. Each experience reinforced his belief in the hospital’s mission. “They treat every person like they’re the only patient here,” he said. “Sometimes the best care comes from people who know you.”

As he prepares to step away, the transition still feels surreal. Yet he carries full confidence in his successor, Adam Thacker, the current President and Chief Administrative Officer, and in the leadership team he spent years shaping. What he knows he’ll miss most are the people—the everyday interactions, the quick hallway conversations, the moments of collaboration with staff, physicians, and volunteers. What he looks forward to now is a little less stress and the freedom to choose how he spends his days, though he plans to stay connected to health care in some way. “After 34 years, it’s part of who I am,” he said.

Looking back, McLin feels immense gratitude. “It’s been an honor and a privilege,” he said. “And I want to thank the Governing Board, who I have been privileged to serve and work beside for the past 15 years. Their foresight and leadership helped drive incredible, positive change over the last decade.” As Good Samaritan turns the page, the legacy McLin leaves, built on integrity, service, and a deep love for his community, will continue to guide the organization for years to come.