The man whose voice is the first people hear when calling Kadlec Regional Medical Center has hung up his microphone. 

Jim Hall retired from his decades-long career at the Richland hospital on Jan. 10, his 65th birthday, a news release said. 

He started at the Richland hospital in a part-time role helping with community outreach. In addition to providing the automated voice for Kadlec’s phone answering system, he connected with the community via radio, television and podcasts. He most recently served as Kadlec’s chief philanthropy officer after spending much of his career as director of communication. 

“Thirty years is clearly a long time, but when I look back, it seems to have gone pretty quick,” Hall said in the release. “It feels really unusual to sit here and think I’m not working anymore, but it is a good feeling.” 

Kadlec staff recently celebrated Jim Hall's retirement.

| Courtesy Kadlec

Hall worked in broadcast journalism before joining Kadlec right after a nurses’ strike created the need to rebuild relationships between the hospital and community. His career included held numerous community events and sharing countless patient and staff stories.  

He even shared with the community his own journey with cancer after being diagnosed 18 months ago. Today, his lab tests and scans are showing no signs of cancer. 

Hall plans to spend his retirement supporting his wife, who he said, “put her life on hold for me,” walking the dogs and enjoying family, friends and all that retired life has to offer.