Larr Promoted To Director of Surgical Services

Kelly Larr, RN, BSN, has been promoted to director of surgical services at Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital. She was previously clinical coordinator for the department and had a lead role in the recent expansion of the hospital’s surgical facilities. Prior to that she was an emergency nurse and also worked in the surgical recovery room.

Larr joined the hospital in 1995 in a clerical role while studying for her nursing degree. Her career is marked by a notable desire to expand her knowledge. She initially attended Michigan State University before deciding to seek a nursing career. She came home to Ludington and earned LPN and RN credentials at West Shore Community College, then her bachelor’s degree from Ferris State. She is currently exploring options to pursue an MBA degree.

High on her list of goals to accomplish in her department is completion of the new, fifth operating room, and other improvements to the surgery space made available when the new ambulatory surgery and recovery facility opened. The renovation work is expected to be finished in late February.

Larr succeeds Drew Dostal, recently named VP of operations at the hospital.

“After working closely with Kelly, seeing her skill and commitment, there was no doubt in my mind that she was the right choice to lead the department,” Dostal said.

Larr accomplished her education goals to date while working full time and raising two daughters and a son with her husband, Andy. Her children are now between the ages of 10 and 17 years old and attending Ludington schools. Kelly is looking forward to her oldest daughter attending college soon. The couple is well known in local youth coaching circles—Kelly coaches Girls on the Run—and is active at St. Simon’s church.

Kelly is also well known among her colleagues for her prescription for departmental success: “Teamwork, customer service and safe, quality care.”

There are several things that motivate her for her new role as director.

“First, it’s the challenge. This allows me to stretch into new areas and apply my experience to new situations. It provides a blend of team building, which I’ve always enjoyed, and pitching in to help with clinical issues as the need arises. Above all, I love evaluating processes and having the opportunity to effect change to keep improving what and how we do things.”