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Riverside Healthcare President and CEO Phillip Kambic addressed the Class of 2025 at Governors State University during their May commencement ceremony. During his speech, he shared motivational words: “Be optimistic. Be persistent. Be a lifelong learner. And remember, you are remarkable.”
Kambic received an honorary doctorate from the university located in University Park. He expressed gratitude for the recognition, stating, “Thank you, Governors State University, for this incredible honor. I’m deeply humbled to receive an honorary doctorate and proud to be part of the GSU community. Education has played a transformative role in my life, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to give back.”
During his remarks, Kambic shared his personal journey from being the youngest of nine children to achieving success in business leadership. After losing his father during high school, he initially planned to work at a local factory post-graduation but ended up enrolling at Eastern Illinois University following a spontaneous campus visit with a friend.
Kambic graduated from EIU and later obtained an MBA from Governors State University. Reflecting on that pivotal moment in Charleston, he remarked that “Education changed my life.”
Since December 2005, Kambic has been serving as Riverside Healthcare’s President and CEO. His tenure began with various leadership roles since 1985 including Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.
Under his guidance, Riverside Medical Center has achieved several accolades such as Magnet designation along with multiple IBM Watson Health awards including 100 Top Hospital Awards and 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospital Awards. Additionally, residency and fellowship training programs have been established under his leadership. Riverside Healthcare has expanded its reach across four counties while more than tripling its net asset size.
