Gustafson Group

Richard Gustafson, President

Richard “Dick” Gustafson’s 20 plus years in executive search have been focused in the health care industry working with health care systems, academic medical centers and community hospitals in placing “C” Suite leadership, senior executive leadership, and medical school deans. Dick continues his assistance to his clients after the search process has been concluded by providing Leadership Development Services which include: Leadership Assessment, Leadership Development, Executive Coaching, and Succession Planning.

Dick spent 20 years at Heidrick & Struggles in the Chicago office where he served as Vice Chairman and Chairman, Global Health Care Practice. Before that he served as Managing Partner for the Health Care Practice. Dick successfully led major searches for CEO’s, CMO’s, CFO’s, COO’s, and Vice Chancellor and Deans of medical schools.

Prior to Heidrick & Struggles, Dick served as President, Parkside Human Services (a part of Lutheran General Health Care System, now Advocate Health Care), a diversified health services operation. He also held a variety of other executive positions in hospitals and academic medical centers.

Dick serves as Vice Chairman, Senior Advisory Board, MedAssets, Inc and on the Advisory Board of SA Ignite. Dick is a former Board member for the National Center for Healthcare Leadership and Hospitalist Management Group. In October, 2002, Dick was named as one of the “100 Most Powerful People in Healthcare” by Modern Healthcare magazine.

Dick holds a Master in Business Administration from the University of Chicago with a concentration in health care, and a Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Olaf College.