Hibl Reflections on Clare and the Medical Center

Ken Hibl

Ken Hibl has lived in Clare for nearly three decades, and his words reflect both pride and gratitude for the community he calls home. “I love this town and its people and have been proud to call Clare my home for the past 28 years,” he said. Relocating to Clare after 31 years of active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces, Hibl served as Clare’s city manager for 22 years and chose to remain in Clare after retirement.

During his tenure as city manager, Hibl came to understand the vital role of MyMichigan Medical Center Clare. “Access to quality health care for our residents is certainly one of the reasons,” he explained, “but there is also a huge economic multiplier associated with having a hospital here.” The Medical Center is one of Clare’s largest employers, and its employees, patients, and families provide a customer base for nearly all local businesses. “The hospital’s location in our downtown district adds immensely to the vibrancy, vitality, and synergy of our community,” Hibl said. He added that having a hospital often influences decisions by businesses and individuals to relocate to Clare.

Hibl’s relationship with the hospital is deeply personal. “I lost my first wife of 43 years to cancer. The diagnosis was made here; she received some of her treatment here; and she spent the last days of her life in this hospital,” he shared. He described the compassionate care she received as “phenomenal.” While her passing was devastating, Hibl found comfort in being able to spend her final days together in Clare. “The fact that we were able to be with her here rather than at some distant medical facility was comforting for us and to her.”

Hibl is now happily remarried to a retired health care professional who spent her career in large-city medical facilities. Together, they recognize the growing importance of local health care access as they age.

“We’ve had the discussion whether we should consider moving to a larger city with full-service hospitals,” Hibl said, “and have made the firm decision that Clare is where we need to be, both now and as we grow older.” The quality of life in Clare, combined with the hospital’s ability to provide care or connect them to specialized services, solidified their choice.

Hibl and his wife have chosen to contribute to the Clare Renovation and Revitalization ongoing campaign. “We encourage all of our community residents to contribute whatever they can afford to ensure we continue to have quality health care in our community,” he said.

Those interested in joining the Hibl family in their support of MyMichigan Medical Center Clare may visit www.mymichigan.org/clareproject or contact Becky Church, director, MyMichigan Health Foundation, at (989) 839-3342 or becky.church@mymichigan.org.