For nine years, Colvin has been a board member at Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center/Ply-mouth, serving as its chairman for the last five. Oliver has been on the hospital’s board of directors since 2004. When Colvin’s term expired at the end of 2008, Oliver was elected to replace his good friend as chairman.
“I am humbled by the honor to serve as the chairman of SJRMC/Plymouth’s board of dir-ectors,” said Oliver. “The last three board chairs have been wonderful people who have had strong ties to our community here in Marshall County and the surrounding areas. That speaks volumes to the commitment Saint Joseph has to this community.”
It’s that commitment that attracted both men to dedicating their time to SJRMC/Plymouth, in spite of having heaping plate loads regarding their respective careers during normal business hours. Colvin is the Superior Court Judge for Marshall County and Oliver is the owner and president of Plymouth-based U.S. Granules Corporation.
“Serving on the hospital’s board gave me a unique opportunity to participate in an incredible organization that affects the lifestyle of our community,” said Colvin. “It’s an exceptional learning experience one can only acquire by giving of your time.”
And so Colvin seized the opportunity to help SJRMC/Plymouth grow by encouraging Oliver to join its board.
    “I talked him into it,” Colvin laughed. “And ever since, we’ve both learned 150 to 200 acronyms we never knew.”
But Oliver is quick to note that Colvin is being far too modest. While he’s taken away from the experience a greater knowledge of hospital jargon, it’s what he has given during his tenure that will carry SJRMC/Plymouth well into the 21st Century.
“As chairman, Dean has been a real force in championing the capital commitment and he has been instrumental in the growth of the Saint Joseph Campus,” said Oliver.
On Colvin’s watch, SJRMC/Plymouth opened its Surgery Center, enabling area residents to receive compassionate, comprehensive, state-of-the-art care for their surgical services without having to travel outside of Marshall County.
The Saint Joseph Surgery Center houses four surgery suites, complete with laminar flow air exchange system, anesthesia machines, and equipment booms to maximize efficiency and workflow.  The post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) has also been expanded from two to six beds, complete with state-of-the-art monitoring equipment.
The operating rooms are some of the first in the country to feature the new Drager Medical Narkomed 6000 anesthesia machines while the laminar airflow system provides patients with a “wall of air,” ensuring the cleanest, safest environment available today for total joint replacement and other surgeries.
SJRMC/Plymouth’s Radiology Department continues to provide convenience with its new Computerized Tomography Angiography (CTA) procedure, allowing patients to have CTAs done without having to travel to South Bend or Mishawaka.  The CTA is a special, less invasive procedure that looks at specific arteries and vessels.  Thanks to CTA, a procedure that used to take up to six hours can now be completed in 15 minutes.
Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), a relatively new technology in radiation oncology, continues to allow SJRMC/Plymouth’s Oncology Department to treat much more complex cancer cases.  IMRT delivers radiation more precisely to the tumor, while sparing the surrounding normal areas.  This enables a much better quality of life for cancer patients, as many of the side effects can be eliminated.
    “These are all things in a hospital where in regard to quality and service, the expectations are such that we, personally, and our families would want to use this hospital,” Colvin said.  “After nine years on the Board here, I can confidently say that I would recommend SJRMC/Plymouth to everyone in my family.
“And, really, for this I would say hats off to the community,” Colvin continued. “The standard was clear on what the community expected regarding healthcare. There is no middle road and I thank everyone who gave me the opportunity to let me do what I could.”
Replacing his friend as board chair, Oliver is fully committed to insuring that the Board’s decisions will fully meet the community’s expectations.
“The board here has a fascinating mix,” Oliver said. “It has hospital senior management, doctors, Sisters of the Holy Cross, and community members who all bring their perspectives together for the Mission this hospital has.
“And just because Dean’s term has expired, there are still a couple of subcommittees I can get him to join,” Oliver continued with a laugh. “He’ll still be a part in SJRMC/Plymouth improving the lives of those in our communities.”
Now that’s living.