Becker's is excited to honor 90 presidents and CEOs of critical access hospitals across the nation.
Critical access hospitals are those that offer 24/7 emergency care and have no more than 25 inpatient beds. These executives are experts in service line expansion, provider recruitment and retention, and the establishment of key partnerships. Their efforts ensure their hospitals serve as vital resources for their communities.
The CEOs recognized here are devoted to high care quality, patient safety and financial stability. These leaders bring crucial care services to their organizations, recruit top physicians, and join forces with larger hospitals and health systems that can provide additional resources.
Note: Becker's Healthcare developed this list based on nominations and editorial research. Leaders do not pay and cannot pay for inclusion on this list. This list is not exhaustive, nor is it an endorsement of the leaders or organizations mentioned. Leaders are presented in alphabetical order. We extend a special thank you to Rhoda Weiss for her contributions to this list.
Contact Anna Falvey at afalvey@beckershealthcare.com with questions or comments.
Brett Altman, DPT. CEO of Cass Health (Atlantic, Iowa). Under Dr. Altman's leadership as CEO, Cass Health has been recognized as one of the top 20 critical access hospitals by the National Rural Hospital Association annually since 2021. He has successfully recruited over 70 new providers in less than seven years, significantly enhancing access to primary and specialty care in southwest Iowa. In 2023, Cass Health was designated a rural hospital center of excellence by the Iowa governor thanks to its outreach in maternal health across three counties. Notably, Cass Health completed a $20 million renovation using operating revenue without incurring debt. The hospital also secured an $849,000 grant to establish a healthcare apprenticeship program to train registered nurses. During Dr. Altman's tenure, patient volume and market share have nearly doubled.
Angela Ammons. CEO of Clinch Memorial Hospital (Homerville, Ga.). As CEO, Ms. Ammons has brought stability to Clinch Memorial Hospital despite threats of closure and financial issues. She has implemented innovative strategies, leading the expansion of telemedicine services, enhancement of critical care and the establishment of partnerships with larger healthcare networks. Her work has helped ensure that the community has access to top-tier medical services. These efforts have led to the hospital's financial turnaround, an increase in patient satisfaction, and the retention of crucial healthcare services in a region where access is often limited.
Tammy Anderer, PhD, MSN. Chief Administrative Officer for Geisinger’s North-Central and Western Regions. Dr. Anderer leads all operations at Geisinger’s Jersey Shore Hospital, a 25-bed critical access hospital. The hospital is a designated advanced primary stroke center as well as a level IV trauma center. She also oversees Geisinger Medical Center Muncy and Geisinger Lewistown Hospital, as well as other regional outpatient facilities. A board-certified nurse practitioner, she continues to practice clinically in emergency medicine. She has an extensive background in clinic, health plan and hospital operations. She has a deep passion for community engagement and outreach. She has been a key partner in developing a regional mobile food pantry to address food insecurity needs. Additional community initiatives she championed include a focus on agricultural safety, trauma education, preventative health screenings and overall improved access to healthcare.
John Ayoub. CEO of Mobridge Regional Hospital and Clinics (Mobridge, S.D.). Mr. Ayoub is CEO of Mobridge Regional Hospital and Clinics, where he oversees the 25-bed critical access hospitals as well as four rural health clinics, an assisted living and senior living facility, and a specialty clinic. Mobridge Regional Hospital and Clinics serves as the largest employer in Mobridge and Walworth County, S.D., with over 190 staff members. Under Mr. Ayoub's leadership, the organization has been recognized by The Chartis Group as one of the top 100 critical access hospitals for 2024.
Manuela "Manny" Banner. President and CEO of Memorial Community Hospital and Health System (Blair, Neb.). As president and CEO of Memorial Community Hospital and Health System, Ms. Banner oversees all operations, ensuring high-quality healthcare for the rural community. She leads strategic initiatives, manages financial performance and ensures regulatory compliance. Her role involves collaboration with medical staff, board members and community stakeholders to improve patient care and expand services. Under her leadership, the hospital has focused on fostering a positive organizational culture, driving innovation and addressing rural healthcare challenges. Ms. Banner is also active in community engagement and healthcare advocacy at both state and national levels. Previously, she served as CEO of Harlan County Health System in Alma, Neb., from 2013 to 2018.
Kristi Barnd. CEO of Henry County Hospital (Napoleon, Ohio). Ms. Barnd, CEO of Henry County Hospital, plays a pivotal role in driving the hospital’s strategic vision and daily operations. With over 14 years at the 25-bed critical access hospital, she ensures high-quality patient care, financial sustainability and regulatory compliance. Her leadership has led to the successful implementation of cutting-edge technologies like Meditech's cloud-based solution, improved care coordination and increased operational efficiency. With Ms. Barnd at the helm, the hospital has earned various accolades, including the Healthy Business Council of Ohio's "Healthy Worksite Award" for its exemplary employee wellness program. In addition, Ms. Barnd is committed to community engagement, serving on local boards and leading health initiatives. During her tenure with the hospital, she has also co-chaired Ohio’s Quality Collaborative.
Barry Bloom. CEO of Jeff Davis Hospital (Hazlehurst, Ga.). As CEO of Jeff Davis Hospital, Mr. Bloom provides strategic leadership and promotes community responsibility, collaboration and patient-centric care within the organization. In 2020, he was recognized by HomeTown Health as a 2020 Hospital Leader of the Year for his innovation, leadership, and commitment to his employees and community. Prior to working with Jeff Davis Hospital, Mr. Bloom was the vice president of physicians and informational services at Coffee Regional Medical Center in Douglas, Ga.
Rolland “Boomer” Bojo, Jr. President and CEO of UHS Delaware Valley Hospital (Walton, N.Y.). Mr. Bojo serves as CEO of UHS Delaware Valley Hospital, where he leads the hospital's financial success, growth and care access improvement efforts. Since becoming CEO in 2021, he has expanded the inpatient unit and introduced new services for the community, while fostering a compassionate workplace culture that has contributed to long-term staff retention. A former nurse who started his career at Delaware Valley in 1995, Mr. Bojo takes a hands-on leadership approach, often working closely with the emergency room nursing team. His background includes serving as vice president of patient care services and CNO at Catskill (N.Y.) Regional Medical Center. He is currently active in the local community as a member and past chief of a fire department.
Tom Borowski. President of Hudson (Wis.) Hospital & Clinic. Mr. Borowski is the president of Hudson Hospital & Clinic, a 25-bed critical access hospital that has earned local and national recognition for its sustainability and healing efforts. He leads the 60-person medical staff that treats nearly 20,000 emergency center and specialty clinic patients annually. He joined Hudson Hospital & Clinic in September of 2017, and jointly serves as Hudson Hospital Foundation president.
Kim Bourne. President and CEO of Taylorville (Ill.) Memorial Hospital. Ms. Bourne has been the president and CEO of Taylorville Memorial Hospital since 2015. A native of the county, she is dedicated to delivering high-quality, compassionate healthcare to rural communities. Under her leadership, the hospital has expanded its services to include a swing bed unit, programs for seniors and a state-recognized anti-vaping campaign. Ms. Bourne has prioritized workforce retention, cutting employee turnover by nearly half through supportive initiatives. She also oversaw a two-phase renovation project, completed amid the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic to ensure the hospital continued to provide exceptional care during local surges.
Eric Briesemeister. CEO of UnityPoint Health—Jones Regional Medical Center (Anamosa, Iowa). Mr. Briesemeister has served as the CEO of UnityPoint Health—Jones Regional Medical Center since 2010, overseeing seven clinics, a critical access hospital and an ambulance service. Under his leadership, the medical center has been recognized eight times as one of the top 100 critical access hospitals by Chartis. Mr. Briesemeister successfully spearheaded a $10.3 million hospital expansion in 2014, addressing the growing healthcare needs of the community. He has also navigated the financial challenges of running a rural hospital, including during the Covid-19 pandemic, and positioned the medical center as a model for similar hospitals. Additionally, he serves as director of the Cedar Rapids Regional Network at UnityPoint Health and has been active as board chair of the Iowa Donor Network, fostering community and healthcare partnerships across the region.
Ben Bucher. CEO of Towner County Medical Center (Cando, N.D.). Mr. Bucher has served as CEO of Towner County Medical Center since 2015. The hospital is a full-service rural health clinic offering specialty care in orthopedics, nephrology, cardiology, oncology, OB/GYN and more. In 2024, TCMC was recognized by the National Rural Health Association as a top 20 critical access hospital. In addition to his role as CEO, Mr. Bucher is also a family nurse practitioner specializing in emergency room, clinic and hospital medicine, providing specialty care in dermatology procedures, joint injections and chronic disease treatment.
Karen Cheeseman. CEO of Mackinac Straits Health System (St. Ignace, Mich.). Ms. Cheeseman has served as CEO of Mackinac Straits Health System, a 15-bed hospital with an emergency medical center and outpatient surgery center, since 2017. She has spent more than 16 years with Mackinac Straits and serves on the Michigan Health and Hospital Association Small and Rural Council.
Mike Cooper. CEO of Fairfield (Ill.) Memorial Hospital. Mr. Cooper serves as the key leader of Fairfield Memorial Hospital, directing overall operations and setting strategic goals to drive growth, innovation and excellence. With over 20 years of executive experience, he oversees financial performance and revenue cycle management while ensuring compliance with financial regulations. Mr. Cooper also represents the hospital in the community, fostering connections and advocating for its mission. He is focused on long-term planning and operational success, aiming to position the critical access hospital for continued growth and stability.
Natalie Couturiaux Ryder, MSN, RN. Chief Administrative Officer of Ascension Borgess-Lee Hospital (Dowagiac, Mich.). Ms. Couturiaux Ryder is responsible for the development, design and operational improvement of systems for healthcare delivery at Ascension Borgess-Lee Hospital, where she serves as chief administrative officer. Her role combines the functions of COO and CNO in the rural healthcare setting, where she aims to maximize the value of care and execute the hospital's strategic plan. During her first 15 months in her current role, she improved patient and employee satisfaction, and she reduced staff turnover within her first year.
Dolan Dalpoas. President and CEO of Lincoln (Ill.) Memorial Hospital. In 2006, Mr. Dalpoas became president and CEO of Lincoln Memorial Hospital. A Lincoln native, he has led efforts to enhance healthcare for the rural community ever since. Under his leadership, the hospital has earned state and national recognition for high-quality care, sustainability and innovative technology use. Mr. Dalpoas has driven public health initiatives in collaboration with local schools and organizations, significantly improving access to healthy food and promoting fitness. In 2021, he was tapped for a 10-month interim role as Memorial Health's CHRO, balancing system-wide responsibilities with his duties at Lincoln Memorial Hospital. Mr. Dalpoas also demonstrates his deep commitment to his community by serving on local economic and YMCA boards.
Matt Dammeyer. CEO of Memorial Hospital of Converse County (Douglas, Wyo.). Mr. Dammeyer, CEO of Memorial Hospital of Converse County, oversees a 25-bed critical access hospital, multiple rural health clinics, and the recently acquired 24-bed Summit Medical Center in Casper. Despite challenges during the Covid-19 pandemic, Mr. Dammeyer led the hospital through with no layoffs and maintained a positive profit margin. He spearheaded the acquisition of Summit Medical Center in 2022, a controversial move aimed at securing Memorial Hospital's independence while expanding services for communities in eastern Wyoming. Mr. Dammeyer is committed to improving staff wellbeing, personally redirecting part of his salary to raise the hospital’s minimum wage to $16 per hour and harboring plans to increase it to $17 in 2025. He prioritizes both the hospital’s strategic growth and the financial stability of its employees.
Jeremy Davis. President and CEO for Grande Ronde Hospital and Clinics (La Grande, Ore.). As CEO of Grande Ronde Hospital and Clinics in rural eastern Oregon, Mr. Davis oversees a critical access hospital and 19 outpatient clinics serving a population of 26,000. In 2022, he successfully secured investment-grade ratings from S&P and Fitch, leading to a $50 million tax-exempt bond issuance, which introduced the hospital to the capital markets. Under his leadership, over 70 healthcare providers have been recruited to the community, enhancing local care access. In May 2024, Davis testified before the U.S. Senate committee on finance, addressing rural healthcare challenges and opportunities.
Mike Delfs. President and CEO of Jamestown (N.D.) Regional Medical Center. Mr. Delfs serves as the president and CEO of Jamestown Regional Medical Center, an award-winning critical access hospital. He has successfully provided the community with access to services not typically seen in critical access hospitals, such as orthopedics, podiatry, urology, otolaryngology services and more. He has spent more than 30 years in the healthcare industry, including time as director, COO and CEO of both independent hospitals and health systems. He is passionate about developing leadership skills in himself and others. Under Mr. Delfs' leadership, Jamestown Regional Medical Center was recognized by the NRHA as a top 20 critical access hospital for 2024.
John Durrett. CEO of Fredonia Regional Hospital (Fredonia, Kan.). Mr. Durrett serves as Fredonia Regional Hospital's CEO. The 25-bed critical access hospital employs over 130 individuals and offers care including medical, surgical, emergency, physical therapy, interventional radiology, as well as various other outpatient services. Under Mr. Durrett's leadership, Fredonia Regional Hospital was recognized by the National Rural Health Association as a top 20 critical access hospital in 2023. He has previous experience as an administrative project manager at Clara Barton Hospital in Hoisington, Kan.
Jake Erickson. CEO of Bingham Memorial Hospital (Blackfoot, Idaho). Mr. Erickson served as assistant administrator and COO of Bingham Memorial Hospital before being promoted to CEO. He is considered a change agent for the hospital and ensures day-to-day operational efficiency. Over the past decade-plus, which includes time that Mr. Erickson spent as head of physician recruitment, BMH has increased its medical staff 400% to more than 150 providers. He has also been instrumental in the hospital's major partnerships in recent years and expanded service offerings to include more than 35 physician specialties.
Marty Fattig. CEO of Nemaha County Hospital (Auburn, Neb.). Mr. Fattig has over two decades of experience as Nemaha County Hospital's CEO, where he oversees all operations of the critical access hospital. Under his leadership, the hospital was recognized as a CHIME "Most Wired" facility for 10 years. In addition to his role at NCH, Mr. Fattig also serves on the board of directors of CyncHealth and as the chair for the Nebraska Hospital Association. He has previous experience as a director of ancillary services and a consulting medical technologist.
Lukas Fischer. CEO of Linton (N.D.) Regional Medical Center and South Central Health (Wishek, N.D.). Mr. Fischer is the CEO of the critical access hospital Linton Regional Medical Center and of South Central Health, overseeing operations at both. Mr. Fischer is responsible for developing and managing staff teams, negotiating improvements, promoting quality of care, coordinating staffing and reporting, performing related administrative duties, doing community outreach, and making decisions about hiring and staffing. He has overseen a hospital campus renovation, and has previously held roles like COO and CNO.
Kurt Forsyth. President of Delta (Utah) and Fillmore (Utah) Community Hospitals. Mr. Forsyth, president of both Delta Community Hospital and Fillmore Community Hospital in rural Millard County, has overseen significant achievements, including gaining trauma IV designations for Delta. He has fostered a positive work culture, with Fillmore ranking No. 1 and Delta No. 2 in caregiver satisfaction across the Intermountain Health region. Mr. Forsyth prioritizes safety and continuous improvement while focusing on leadership development, employee engagement and operations management. A fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, he is committed to rural healthcare innovation, addressing social determinants of health, and expanding service lines and revenue streams.
Toby Freier. President of New Ulm (Minn.) Medical Center. Mr. Freier gained experience as vice president of Tomah (Wis.) Memorial Hospital before joining New Ulm Medical Center and becoming president in January 2011. The nonprofit hospital serves patients in central Minnesota and includes more than 30 affiliated physicians as well as visiting specialists. In June 2019, the Minnesota Hospital Association honored New Ulm Medical Center with the "Best Minnesota Hospital Workplace" award.
Laura Gentry, RN, BSN. CEO of Atrium Health Navicent Peach (Macon, Ga.). Ms. Gentry leads daily operations at Atrium Health Navicent Peach, which provides services to Peach county and its surrounding communities. It offers 25 private rooms, 14 emergency treatment rooms, two trauma rooms and more. Ms. Gentry's role is critical in providing care for underserved communities. She is responsible for the system's strategic, operational and financial goals. She has been influential in building community relationships and supporting community outreach programs. She has also been key in the implementation of a school-based virtual health partnership with an area county school.
Linda Givens. Administrator of Adventist Health Howard Memorial (Willits, Calif.). Ms. Givens, administrator of Adventist Health Howard Memorial, oversees the hospital’s operations with a focus on patient-centered care and community engagement. Under her leadership, the critical access hospital has achieved Planetree Certification, a prestigious recognition for excellence in quality care, patient safety and low readmission rates, making it one of the few hospitals in the U.S. with this distinction. She has been a strong advocate for Howard Memorial’s medication-assisted treatment program, which addresses opioid use disorder and benefits a county of over 90,000 residents. Additionally, Ms. Givens and her team have implemented initiatives such as bar code medication administration and fall prevention measures, enhancing patient safety and care standards across the hospital. Ms. Givens also plays an active role in her community, serving on the Chamber of Commerce board and participating in local organizations like the Rotary Club of Willits.
Martin Guthmiller. CEO of Orange City (Iowa) Area Health System. Mr. Guthmiller has spent more than 30 years of his career in healthcare. He began his tenure as CEO for Orange City Area Health System in 1994 and oversaw the planning, fundraising and construction of its $29.6 million campus replacement project, which was completed in 2006. The health system includes four clinics, a 25-bed critical access hospital, birth center, comprehensive surgical services supplemented by Mako robotic-arm-assisted orthopedic procedures, a sports medicine clinic, a senior care campus and a full range of ancillary medical services. Mr. Guthmiller leads the health system’s 600-strong staff. Mr. Guthmiller recently oversaw major initiatives focused on independent living, assisted living and nursing home care for the senior population, resulting in the expansion of Landsmeer Ridge Retirement Community services and facilities. This eased staffing challenges for Prairie Ridge Care Center, and a new 36-condo 55-plus living community was designed and constructed near the health system’s main campus. Mr. Guthmiller serves on a number of community boards, including the Orange City Development Corp., Iowa State Bank, the Early Childhood Development daycare center and Community Health Partners. Previously, he served as the chair of the Iowa Hospital Association for two years and on the board of Northwestern College.
Hank Hanigan. CEO of Whitman Hospital and Medical Center (Colfax, Wash.). Mr. Hanigan became CEO of Whitman Hospital in 2014 after serving as COO of WhidbeyHealth in Coupeville, Wash. In addition to his responsibilities at Whitman, Mr. Hanigan serves as a board member for the Whitman County Health Network and is a member of the Colfax Rotary. He is also an active board member of the Association of Washington public hospital district, public hospital district workers' compensation board, The Rural Collaborative and the Rural Health Enterprise.
Stacy Harberson. CEO of Howard Memorial Hospital (Nashville, Ark.). Ms. Harberson was recently appointed as CEO of critical access hospital Howard Memorial. Prior to her promotion, she served as the hospital's COO. Before that, she spent 10 years as the hospital's radiology director.
Mark Harrel. CEO of Phelps Memorial Health Center (Holdrege, Neb.). Mr. Harrel has led Phelps Memorial Healthcare Center as CEO since 2007. The center is a 25-bed, non-profit critical access hospital employing over 328 healthcare professionals, and contracting with an additional 150. Phelps Memorial offers a wide variety of patient services, including cardiology, ENT and otolaryngology, gastroenterology, psychiatry, oncology, orthopedics, surgery and more. In 2023, the hospital was recognized as a top 20 critical access hospital by the National Rural Health Association.
Jonathan Hatfield. CEO of Klickitat Valley Health (Goldendale, Wash.). Bringing 18 years of healthcare administration experience, Mr. Hatfield became CEO of Klickitat Valley Health in October 2023. He began his career at the hospital as a janitor and quickly moved up the ranks, holding titles like director of IT and compliance before taking on his current role. Through his work, he addresses the unique needs of the rural community, drives positive health outcomes, and oversees the hospital's operations and resource management. A champion of health technology, Mr. Hatfield has spearheaded initiatives like the transition to Meditech Expanse EHR and the creation of the critical access hospital's first informatics department, which serve to streamline electronic workflows and improve provider satisfaction. Under his guidance, the hospital also developed a virtual care system during the Covid-19 pandemic to enhance patient care.
Curtis Hawkinson. CEO of Community Memorial Healthcare (Marysville, Kan.). As CEO of Community Memorial Healthcare, Mr. Hawkinson is responsible for the overall management and oversight of the 25-bed critical access hospital. CMH employs over 200 individuals and provides patient services through three rural health clinics, visiting specialty outpatient physicians, home health and hospital care. The hospital was named a top 20 critical access hospital by the National Rural Health Association in 2023. Prior to his role at CMH, Mr. Hawkinson served as the CEO of Keefe Memorial Hospital in Cheyenne Wells, Colo.
Craig Henneman. President of CentraCare Paynesville (Minn.). Mr. Henneman, president of CentraCare Paynesville, leads a high-performing hospital and two rural health clinics with a focus on compassion, community engagement and operational excellence. His leadership is defined by a commitment to creating a patient-centered, caring environment that values both patients and employees. Under his guidance, the hospital has achieved notable performance metrics while expanding vital services like orthopedics and vascular care. Mr. Henneman’s strategic oversight ensures that the facility meets the unique demands of rural healthcare, while actively participating in local initiatives to promote community health. With a 20-year healthcare career, he is also dedicated to mentoring and professional development, fostering growth within the industry.
Meg Hickey-Boynton. CEO of Community Hospital of Anaconda (Mont.). As the CEO of Community Hospital of Anaconda, Ms. Hickey-Boynton oversees the operations of the critical access hospital, which offers services in family practice, obstetrics, general surgery, orthopedics, neuroscience, emergency medicine, gastroenterology and more. In addition to offering acute, emergency and laboratory services, the hospital also offers home health, hospice and long-term care. In 2023, the hospital was recognized as a top 20 critical access hospital by the National Rural Health Association.
Jodi Hovdenes, RN. President of CHI St. Alexius Health Carrington (N.D.) Medical Center. Ms. Hovedenes was named president of CHI St. Alexius Health Carrington Medical Center in 2022 after serving several months as interim president. She has previous nursing experience at Carrington Health. Under her leadership, CHI St. Alexius Health Medical Center was named a top 20 critical access hospital by the National Rural Health Association in 2024.
Helena Jagielski, BSN. Administrator at Providence Seward Medical Center, Providence Seward Mountain Haven and Chiniak Bay Elder House (Seward and Kodiak, Alaska). Ms. Jagielski oversees a six-bed critical access hospital that offers inpatient and outpatient services, including a 24-hour level IV trauma center emergency department. She also oversees Providence’s 40-bed long-term care facility, also in Seward, and Providence’s 22-bed long-term care facility in Kodiak. Ms. Jagielski has led the opening of several new service lines at the Seward hospital, including wound care, infusion services, mammography, echocardiograms and the creation of a sexual assault response team. As part of the hospital’s recruitment and retention efforts, she has partnered with public and private entities to create more caregiver housing in Seward, which is often expensive and hard to find. Under Ms. Jagielski’s leadership, Providence Seward Medical Center can now better meet the community’s needs as its tourism industry and the U.S. Coast Guard’s presence continue to grow.
Gary Jordan. President and CEO of Cherokee (Iowa) Regional Medical Center. Mr. Jordan serves as president and CEO of Cherokee Regional Medical Center, a 25-bed critical access hospital with four regional clinics, senior housing, wellness services and inpatient care. He has many years of hospital leadership, beginning when he was vice president of support services at Carroll Regional Medical Center in Berryville, Ark. Mr. Jordan also has experience as CEO of Saint Luke's Health System's Wright Memorial Hospital in Trenton, Mo.
Charles "Chuck" Kassis. Administrator of Adventist Health Clear Lake (Lake County, Calif.). Mr. Kassis, serving as administrator of Adventist Health Clear Lake, oversees a 25-bed critical access hospital and more than 20 healthcare clinics across northern California. With over 38 years of diverse leadership experience, he is skilled in facilitating strategic planning, operational efficiency and physician relations. His role includes managing the executive team, overseeing finances and allocating resources, as well as spearheading community outreach and partnerships. Under his leadership, the hospital has achieved significant operational success, including successful construction projects and business development initiatives. His clinical background as a respiratory therapist adds valuable insights to his leadership, helping to improve patient safety and staff engagement.
Kevin Kincaid. CEO of Knoxville (Iowa) Hospital & Clinics. Mr. Kincaid leads a critical access hospital and three rural clinics. As CEO, he transformed the hospital from one on the brink of financial ruin to a successful, high-quality facility. Thanks to his leadership, Knoxville Hospital & Clinics has been recognized as a "Top 100 Critical Access Hospital" by the National Rural Health Association. Prior to assuming his current role, Mr. Kincaid served as COO of Dallas County Hospital in Perry, Iowa.
Ryan Larsen. CEO of Community Medical Center (Falls City, Neb.). Mr. Larsen has served as CEO of 24-bed Community Medical Center since 2005. During his time with the organization, he has led the opening of a new facility in 2009 and an expansion in 2018. In 2023, the hospital was recognized by the National Rural Health Association as a top 20 critical access hospital under his leadership. Mr. Larsen has previous experience in healthcare management as CFO of Wamego (Kan.) City Hospital, as well as CFO of Memorial Hospital Association in Carthage, Ill.
Judy Leach. Administrator at Adventist Health Mendocino Coast (Fort Bragg, Calif.). Ms. Leach manages a 25-bed critical access hospital that offers 24-hour emergency care, primary care and assistance with preventive and rehabilitation services. She also oversees a variety of clinics and programs offering access to care for primary care, specialty care and home care services. Her team includes more than 350 associates and 141 providers. Ms. Leach also helped with the transition when Adventist began its oversight over the hospital. She has more than three decades of healthcare experience, and collaborates with community leaders to optimize healthcare through dialogue.
Greg Madsen. Vice President and CEO of Carilion Rockbridge Community Hospital (Lexington, Va.). Mr. Madsen leads the 25-bed Carilion Rockbridge Community Hospital, which is part of Roanoke, Va.-based Carilion Clinic. He also serves as vice president of Carilion Clinic's Eastern Division, encompassing care delivery in Virginia’s Alleghany Highlands, Rockbridge County, Lexington and Buena Vista. Under his leadership, Carilion Rockbridge Community Hospital has significantly expanded its services, providing rural residents with enhanced expertise and quality care. Over the past four years, the facility has welcomed new providers and specialties, leading to a steady increase in surgical services and capacity. Mr. Madsen has overseen extensive renovations, including upgrades to operating rooms, pharmacy space and labs that were completed in spring 2024. He has also enhanced the hospital's offerings with joint replacement, spine surgeries, new neurological and family medicine services, and a chaplaincy-on-call program for patients. He also plans to add more physicians and staff in the coming years.
Michelle Majerus. CEO of Avera Holy Family Hospital (Estherville, Iowa). Ms. Majerus was named the new CEO of 25-bed Avera Holy Family Hospital in August 2024. She then assumed the role at the end of September 2024. Previously, Ms. Majerus served as the vice president of operations of Hutchinson (Minn.) Health since 2021.
Steve Massey. President and CEO of Westfields Hospital & Clinic (New Richmond, Wis.). Mr. Massey has served as president and CEO of Westfields Hospital & Clinic since 2011. His accomplishments within the organization have included the joining of Westfields Hospital and New Richmond Clinic in 2013, which formed Westfields Hospital & Clinic. The hospital was also recognized by the National Rural Health Association as a top 20 critical access hospital in 2023. Previously, Mr. Massey served as Osceola (Wis.) Medical Center's CFO.
Cynthia K. McGuire. CEO of Monadnock Community Hospital (Peterborough, N.H.). Ms. McGuire has served as the CEO of Monadnock Community Hospital since early 2014. She has more than 25 years of experience working in the healthcare industry. Ms. McGuire most recently served as the COO of Adirondack Health in Saranac Lake, N.Y.
Doug McMillan. CEO of Cody (Wyo.) Regional Health. Since becoming CEO of Cody Regional Health in June 1997, Mr. McMillan has grown it into a critical access hospital with 25 beds, a 94 bed skilled/intermediate care long-term care center, a cancer center, an eight-bed hospice house, a 16-bed chemical dependency center, and two medical office buildings. The organization's annual net revenue has grown from $20 million to $110 million annually. Mr. McMillan has built up the hospital's active medical staff from 20 physicians to over 70 providers in the community. Under his leadership, the hospital is starting a regional flight program in partnership with Broomfield, Colo.-based SCL Health in Billings, Mont., and expanding its primary care and specialty services via a new clinic in Basin, Mont.
Jac McTaggart. Senior Director of Sanford (N.D.) Mayville Medical Center; CEO, Sanford Hillsboro Medical Center. In 2017, Mr. McTaggart became CEO of Sanford Mayville Medical Center in addition to his role as CEO of Hillsboro Medical Center. He is responsible for the operations of both medical centers, which offer patients critical care, lab services, long-term care, orthopedic care, rehabilitation and more. In 2023, Sanford Mayville was named a top 20 critical access hospital by the National Rural Health Association under Mr. McTaggart's leadership.
Thomas Mee, BSN, RN. CEO of North Country Healthcare (Whitefield, N.H.). In his role as CEO of North Country Healthcare, Mr. Mee leads a network of three critical access hospitals and a home health agency. Utilizing knowledge gleaned from his 30-plus years of healthcare experience, he has unified these organizations under a single EHR system to help streamline operations and improve patient care. His leadership has fostered collaboration, enhancing shared services across the network and boosting health outcomes for the region. Mr. Mee's data-driven approach, exemplified by the "Sleepless Nights" campaign, reduced mammogram result wait times by 50%. Additionally, Mr. Mee focuses on staff engagement and training to support recruitment and retention in rural healthcare.
Tamara Miller. CEO of Madison (S.D.) Regional Health System. Ms. Miller serves as the CEO of 22-bed Madison Regional Health System, a nonprofit, independent health system with 250 employees. She has worked at the system for 38 years, serving as CEO since 1996. Under her leadership, the critical access hospital moved to a larger facility in 2015. Ms. Miller serves on many boards, including the SD Association of Healthcare Organizations council on acute care.
Tylie Mills. CEO and Administrator of Pike County Memorial Hospital (Louisiana, Mo.). Ms. Mills became CEO of Pike County Memorial Hospital in August 2018 after serving as its director of nursing. She also is a former emergency department and emergency medical services director. The same month she took the helm at Pike County Memorial, the hospital underwent an unannounced on-site survey from the Joint Commission and received its Gold Seal of Approval for hospital accreditation.
Lois Morgan, DNP. Chief Administrative Officer for Deaconess Gibson Hospital (Princeton, Ind.). Dr. Morgan, chief administrative officer at Deaconess Gibson Hospital, aims to improve community health outcomes via strong administrative leadership and high-quality care provision. She provides strategic direction in line with board goals, ensuring optimal patient care through well-crafted policies and programs. She collaborates with the executive team to develop growth strategies and mentors her leadership team, fostering continuous improvement and staff engagement. Under her leadership, the hospital has seen significant growth, achieving a 12% operating margin and planning facility expansions to meet increasing patient demand. Her leadership style, characterized by resilience and inclusivity, has driven innovations like Indiana’s first labor, delivery, recovery and postpartum unit. She also serves as a community advocate, contributing to the healthcare field through presentations and journal publications.
Cory Nelson. CEO of Sioux Center (Iowa) Health. As CEO of 19-bed Sioux Center Health, Mr. Nelson is in charge of strategic planning, program development and modification, and coordination of all operations in alignment with the organization's mission. In addition, he also serves on the Sioux Center Health Foundation Board. Some of Mr. Nelson's most recent accomplishments include solidifying an obstetrics partnership with another regional facility, creating a medical director partnership with a federally qualified health center and growing Sioux Center Health by over 50% over the last four years. Under his leadership, the organization has been named a top workplace by the Des Moines Register and has won Northwest Iowa Review's Best of the N'West categories two years in a row. Prior to joining Sioux Center Health, Mr. Nelson served as CEO of Genoa (Neb.) Medical Facilities.
Robert F. Nutter. President and CEO of Littleton (N.H.) Regional Healthcare. Mr. Nutter serves as president and CEO of Littleton Regional Healthcare, a critical access hospital that received Press Ganey's 2018 Guardian of Excellence Award. He has spent nearly 20 years in healthcare administration roles. Before assuming his current role in 2017, he was the vice president and COO of Mercy Health System in Portland, Maine.
Jill Ostrem. President of River Falls (Wis.) Area Hospital. Ms. Ostrem, with over 30 years of healthcare management experience, currently serves as president of Allina Health's River Falls Area Hospital, a 25-bed critical access hospital. Known for her collaborative leadership style, she works closely with physicians to achieve organizational goals and develop strong physician leaders. Ms. Ostrem is committed to engaging teams in Allina Health's mission to deliver top-tier care to the communities it serves. In addition to leading River Falls Area Hospital, she also oversees Allina Health United Hospital in Saint Paul, Minn. and its Hastings (Minn.) Regina Campus. Previously, she was president of Allina Health's Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids, Minn.
Erica Peterson. Administrator and CEO at Sanford Chamberlain Medical Center and Pierre Clinic (S.D.). Ms. Peterson serves as administrator and CEO for rural hospital and clinic sites as part of the Sioux Falls, S.D.-based Sanford Health Network. Her prior experience in healthcare finance and firsthand knowledge from living on a ranch in the rural Midwest afford her unparalleled insight in strategically directing the operations of the facilities she oversees. These include a 25-bed critical access hospital, three clinics and a 44-bed long-term care facility. Prior to her role as administrator, Ms. Peterson served as CFO for Sanford Chamberlain for seven years, responsible for Medicare and Medicaid cost reports, statistical and financial analysis, and multi-departmental budgeting for the organization. She is a well-known and trusted member of her community, involved in local education and bringing important wellbeing programs to schools. She is an active board member of the South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations and Stockyards Ag Experience. She also serves as the Sanford liaison to Indian Health Services, which operates on Native American reservations. Ms. Peterson has also been instrumental in helping shape public policy around rural healthcare in the state, testifying on behalf of Sanford Health at the South Dakota State Legislature.
Julie Petersen. CEO of Kittitas Valley Healthcare Hospital (Ellensburg, Wash.). Ms. Petersen oversees Kittitas Valley Healthcare Hospital's seven clinics and critical access hospital as CEO. She joined the organization in 2016 as interim CEO and accepted the permanent position the following year. Ms. Petersen has spent 30 years in the nonprofit healthcare industry. She most recently served as CFO and CEO at Prosser (Wash.) Memorial Hospital.
Michael Peterson. President of Androscoggin Valley Hospital (Berlin, N.H.). Mr. Peterson has served as president of 25-bed Androscoggin Valley Hospital since December 2015. He has more than 30 years of experience in healthcare, including 10 in as a senior executive of a rural community hospital. Mr. Peterson most recently served as COO of Sebasticook Valley Health in Pittsfield, Maine.
Cathy Pimple. CEO of Newman Regional Health (Emporia, Kan.). As CEO of Newman Regional Health, Ms. Pimple has led the critical access hospital in expanding services and maintaining high standards of patient care and staff satisfaction since her appointment in 2023. Leveraging her 30 years of healthcare experience, she oversees strategic initiatives, including the adoption of advanced robotics for surgeries and the launch of novel community health programs like the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program for chronic lung disease patients. Ms. Pimple also emphasizes a positive work culture through recruitment, retention and employee recognition strategies. Under her leadership, the hospital has earned several distinctions, such as being named one of the top 100 community access hospitals by The Chartis Group in 2023.
Amber Powell, MSN, APRN. Chief Administrative Officer for Deaconess Union County Hospital (Morganfield, Ky.). Ms. Powell, chief administrative officer of Deaconess Union County Hospital since February 2023, leads the hospital in delivering high-quality healthcare. She also completes administrative duties that enhance community health. She collaborates with the executive team to drive strategic growth and ensure effective operations via a well-trained, motivated staff. With over 24 years of nursing experience and 15 in leadership, Ms. Powell fosters a culture of continuous improvement and staff engagement. Her continued practice as a nurse practitioner provides valuable insight into both clinical and non-clinical challenges, enriching her leadership style. Notably, the hospital earned the Kentucky Hospital Association "Critical Access Hospital Quality Award" for reducing swing bed readmissions under her leadership in 2023.
August Querciagrossa. CEO of OSF HealthCare's Western Region (Peoria, Ill.). Mr. Querciagrossa remains a driving force in efforts to improve access to care in the rural communities he serves. His leadership has been instrumental in expanding emergency services and developing a robust model of care in his region following the sudden closure of a community hospital in Peru, Ill. Under his guidance, OSF quickly established local options for urgent care, primary care, digital care, obstetrics and gynecology, occupational health and rehabilitation services. He has successfully reopened the second OSF HealthCare Saint Elizabeth Medical Center campus in rural Peru. With approval from the state of Illinois, the campus is growing and thriving, providing jobs and security for the entire region. Overall, he oversees eight hospitals, including a critical access hospital. Several of the hospitals he oversees have achieved national recognition, including a 4-star rating earlier this year from the National Rural Rating System. Additionally, two of the hospitals in his region were honored for performance leadership by the Chartis Center for Rural Health.
Sarah Ragsdale. CEO of Smith County Memorial Hospital (Smith Center, Kan.). Ms. Ragsdale leads Smith County Memorial Hospital, a 25-bed critical access hospital. She has prior experience as CNO and COO at the hospital. She took on the CEO role in January 2024.
Joshua Ratner. CEO of HealthAlliance of the Hudson Valley (Kingston, N.Y.). As CEO of HealthAlliance of the Hudson Valley, Mr. Ratner oversees operations at critical access Margaretville Hospital and the adjacent Mountainside Residential Care Center in rural New York’s Catskill Mountains. Over the past year, he has driven key initiatives, including launching a community paramedicine program to reduce hospital readmissions and hosting an opioid roundtable to address substance use disorders. At Mountainside, Mr. Ratner introduced certified nurse assistant training classes, resulting in new job opportunities and the ability to welcome more residents. Additionally, he ensured wage increases for healthcare workers. His CEO responsibilities also include overseeing HealthAlliance Hospital, where he is guiding the transformation into the HealthAlliance Healthy Village, and the construction of a $220 million critical care tower at Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla. Mr. Ratner has over 25 years of experience in healthcare leadership and is known for collaborating with community leaders to improve care delivery.
Roger Reamer. CEO of Memorial Health Care Systems (Seward, Neb.). Mr. Reamer, CEO of Memorial Health Care Systems, has led the organization for over two decades, overseeing a critical access hospital, rural health clinics, a pharmacy, assisted living and a long-term care facility. His leadership has significantly strengthened rural healthcare delivery, policy development and public health initiatives. Under his guidance, Memorial Health Care Systems has been recognized by the National Rural Health Association and other organizations for excellence in quality and patient safety. Mr. Reamer's strategic efforts have expanded specialized care in the community, recruited more providers and transitioned the hospital to a critical access facility, enhancing outpatient services. He is also a dedicated advocate for rural healthcare, serving on various health boards and fostering alliances that ensure long-term sustainability.
Dave Ressler. CEO of Aspen (Colo.) Valley Hospital. Mr. Ressler has spent more than 40 years in healthcare. He was CEO of Aspen Valley Hospital from 2004 to 2013. After some time away from the hospital, he resumed his role as CEO in 2016. He has previous experience as chief strategy officer and COO of the 600-plus-bed Tucson (Ariz.) Medical Center. During his tenure at Aspen, Mr. Ressler has worked with numerous rural hospitals to learn more about care and healthcare transformation.
Jeremy Roberge. President and CEO of Huggins Hospital (Wolfeboro, N.H.). Mr. Roberge has served as president and CEO of Huggins Hospital, a 25-bed critical access hospital, since 2016. He is responsible for managing the delivery of care to the region's 30,000 residents. Mr. Roberge joined the senior leadership team at Huggins Hospital in 2012 as senior vice president and CFO before being promoted to his current role.
Darlene Rodowicz. President and CEO of Berkshire Health Systems (Pittsfield, Mass.). Ms. Rodowicz serves as president and CEO of Berkshire Health Systems, which includes several outpatient facilities and hospitals. With over 40 years of experience at the system, she has navigated the organization through significant challenges, including the Covid-19 pandemic and the reopening of North Adams Regional Hospital as a critical access hospital after a decade-long closure. After a closure due to bankruptcy under previous management, the full-service critical access hospital was reopened in spring 2024. Ms. Rodowicz's leadership has enabled the hospital to provide critical services closer to home, addressing complex conditions like pneumonia, heart failure, urinary tract infection, post-surgical care and more for local residents.
Bruce Roesler. CEO of The Richland Hospital and Clinics (Richland Center, Wis.). Mr. Roesler was previously president and CEO of Mercy Medical Center – New Hampton (Iowa) and CEO of Avera Marshall (Minn.) Regional Medical Center before becoming CEO of Richland in 2015. At Richland, he oversees an integrated multispecialty medical group and critical access hospital with over 400 staff members. He is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and a board member of the Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative.
Shelly Russell. CEO of Mitchell County Regional Health Center (Osage, Iowa). Ms. Russell became CEO of Mitchell County Regional Health Center in 2014 after spending time as CNO of the critical access hospital. The hospital includes 135 staff members and is affiliated with Mercy Health Network. In 2019, iVantage Health Analytics named Mitchell County Regional Health Center a 100 Top Critical Access Hospital. She has previous experience in hospital administration at Memorial Health Center in Medford, Wis., and Aspirus, a Wausau, Wis.-based health system.
Michael Schafer. CEO of Spooner (Wis.) Health. Mr. Schafer is responsible for the direction of Spooner Health, which includes a 25-bed critical access hospital, and rural home health agency. He has created a working environment that is top-ranked in employee engagement and has patient survey results that far exceed state and national averages. In 2017, he oversaw the construction of a replacement hospital and negotiated with a larger health system to bring on a local clinic to its new campus, where it partners for some services. He also was instrumental in establishing a nurse practitioner hospitalist model. In addition to his role at Spooner Health, Mr. Schafer is on the board of the Wisconsin Hospital Association.
Denise Schepici. President and COO at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital (Mass.). Ms. Schepici leads Martha’s Vineyard Hospital and oversees its mission to care for a year-round population of more than 20,000, which swells to over 100,000 in the summer months. A 25-bed critical access facility, the hospital has added more than 38 new clinical specialties to meet increasing demand and spare patients from difficult off-island travel. Initiatives to expand access to primary care have resulted in more than 1,200 new patients in island practices, reducing what was once a 1,000-person waiting list. Ms. Schepici has led a campaign to address the critical need for workforce housing, which has nearly reached its goal of $22 million and a 48-unit residential site. A 76-bedroom building is under construction and expected to open in early 2025, helping to alleviate the island's cost of living. Ms. Schepici has also led efforts to transition the island's 30-resident skilled nursing facility to a new small home model with an increased 66-bed capacity. Under her leadership, Martha’s Vineyard Hospital has been recognized by the Commonwealth Institute for the past three years as one of the top 100 "Women-led Businesses in Massachusetts” and as a top hospital for obstetrics, orthopedics and mammogram imaging by the Best Hospitals Women’s Choice Awards in 2022.
Veronica Schmidt. Administrator and CEO at Sanford Vermillion (S.D.) Medical Center. Since 2021, Ms. Schmidt has leveraged her expertise in operating critical access hospitals and long-term care facilities as CEO of Sanford Vermillion. She aims to grow services, programs and community partnerships within the medical center to enhance the overall health and wellbeing of the community. She oversees a critical access hospital, clinic, assisted living and long-term care facility. Under her leadership, the hospital earned recognition as one of the Chartis "Top 100 Critical Access Hospitals" three years running. In addition, she was critical in adding 3-D mammography services to the hospital's scope of care. Ms. Schmidt hosts bi-monthly “coffee and conversation” sessions, providing employees opportunities to hear from her and ask questions, and encouraging teams to adopt honest, open and willing methods for communication. She previously served Sanford Vermillion as director of ancillary services, as well as directing social work and mental health services for over 15 years. She also held executive roles for regional health systems in South Dakota and Nebraska and as an adjunct professor.
Matthew Sells. President and CEO of Shenandoah (Iowa) Medical Center. Mr. Sells became interim president and CEO of Shenandoah Medical Center in 2017 after serving four years as the hospital's CFO. Later that year, he was named permanent CEO. Shenandoah has an outpatient clinic facility, disease prevention and wellness center and women's health clinic in addition to its critical access hospital. Mr. Sells became a board member of Bank Iowa this year.
Hoyt Skabelund. CEO at Banner Payson (Ariz.) Medical Center. Mr. Skabelund has spent most of his career serving rural, critical access facilities. As CEO of Banner Payson Medical Center over the past four years, he has partnered with Banner Medical Group and other local physician groups to recruit providers to expand the breadth and depth of services in the 16,000-resident community. He has successfully implemented pain management, oncology and primary care services. Mr. Skabelund was also instrumental in starting one of the country’s few rural family medicine residency programs to fill the need for primary care providers. Additionally, a partnership with Banner Air ensures patients have easy access to tertiary and quaternary emergency and trauma medical care. Under his leadership, Banner Payson enjoys a low 13% turnover rate and is one of only five hospitals in Arizona to earn a CMS 5-star quality rating. Mr. Skabelund began his career in 2014 with Banner Health and aims to continue expanding oncology and surgical services at Banner Payson to better serve the region’s significant Medicare population.
David Smith. CEO of Hammond-Henry Hospital (Geneseo, Ill.). As CEO of Hammond-Henry Hospital, Mr. Smith is responsible for managing all departments and 400 employees. He was appointed as CEO in December 2023 and began serving in the role in January. He brings over 20 years of healthcare experience to his role. He is skilled in critical access, acute and ambulatory care operations.
Lynda Stanley. President and CEO of Dosher Memorial Hospital (Southport, N.C.). As CEO of Dosher Memorial Hospital, Ms. Stanley leads the administration and direction of all hospital activities, ensuring compliance with its mission and maintaining high-quality medical services. With a tenure of 38 years at Dosher, she began as the laboratory manager before ascending through the ranks to become the hospital's president in 2020 and CEO in 2021. Under her leadership, Dosher has achieved a significant financial turnaround, reporting a $1.4 million positive operating margin by the end of 2021 even amidst a challenging environment for critical access hospitals. Ms. Stanley has driven innovations in patient care, introducing advanced surgical robotics for hip and knee replacements and recently adding teleneurology services to enhance stroke care. She emphasizes employee engagement and wellness through initiatives aimed at recruitment and retention, fostering a supportive work environment. Additionally, Ms. Stanley is active in advocating for rural health representation, serving on boards for both the North Carolina Healthcare Association and the American Hospital Association’s rural health committee.
David Steitz. CEO of Bluegrass Community Hospital (Versailles, Ky.). Mr. Steitz, CEO of Bluegrass Community Hospital, adeptly manages the challenges of overseeing a rural facility while ensuring high-quality patient care. With nearly four decades of healthcare experience, he has leveraged his expertise to modernize the hospital's infrastructure, finding innovative ways to optimize existing spaces despite the limitations of the older building. His strategies have resulted in significant growth, particularly in surgical services, which have seen year-over-year growth exceeding 100%. Mr. Steitz fosters a culture of continuous improvement among staff, encouraging contributions that enhance patient care and operational efficiency. His leadership has also emphasized rigorous safety protocols and quality improvement initiatives that have led to measurable enhancements in patient outcomes. In addition to his administrative role, Mr. Steitz actively participates in local health and wellness initiatives, collaborating with community leaders to address the region's healthcare needs.
Brian Stephens. President and CEO of Door County Medical Center (Sturgeon Bay, Wis.). Mr. Stephens is the CEO of Door County Medical Center, which has more than 175 physicians, an outpatient medical center and a skilled nursing facility. He spent time as the chief administrative officer before being promoted to CEO in January 2019.
Scott Thoreson. CEO of Carroll County Memorial Hospital (Carrollton, Mo.). Mr. Thoreson joined Carroll County Memorial Hospital as CEO in July 2021. In his role, he is responsible for the oversight of the 25-bed critical access hospital's operations and 240-plus employees. In 2023, CCMH was recognized as a top 20 critical access hospital by the National Rural Health Association. Previously, Mr. Thoreson served as an administrator with the Mayo Clinic Health System in Springfield and St. James, Minn.
Dawn Trompeter. President of OSF HealthCare Saint Paul Medical Center (Mendota, Ill.). Ms. Trompeter became president of OSF HealthCare Saint Paul Medical Center in January 2018. She is responsible for aligning the hospital with OSF HealthCare's overall strategy and directing internal operations, maintaining a culture of collaboration and integration. She has previous experience as the vice president and CFO of OSF Saint Elizabeth Medical Center in Ottawa, Ill., and Saint Paul Medical Center, where she helped the organizations improve HCAHPS scores.
Karissa Turner. President and CEO of Wabash General Hospital (Mount Carmel, Ill.). Ms. Turner became president and CEO of Wabash General Hospital in January. Since then, the hospital has earned recognition as one of the 2019 best places to work in Illinois from the Daily Herald Business Ledger. She's also presided over the opening of a new orthopedic clinic at Clay County Hospital Medical Clinic in Flora, Ill.
Tyler Ust. CEO at Sanford Thief River Falls (Minn.) Medical Center. Under Mr. Ust's leadership as CEO, Sanford Thief River Falls Medical Center has been recognized as one of the top 100 critical access hospitals by The Chartis Center for Rural Health since 2023. In his role, Mr. Ust is responsible for overseeing all hospital and clinic services. After several local providers retired and others removed obstetrical services from their practice, Mr. Ust helped prevent a maternity care desert from forming by hiring locum providers to support the remaining physicians. He worked to stabilize and expand the service using creative ways to recruit and retain new providers who deliver babies. As a result, the number of babies born at Sanford Thief River Falls increased by more than 10% in 2023. Mr. Ust began his career with Sanford in 2014 and served as the Sanford Thief River Falls clinic director prior to becoming the medical center’s CEO.
Tom Vasko. CEO of Newman Memorial Hospital (Shattuck, Okla.). Mr. Vasko is responsible for clinical, financial, administrative and regulatory functions at Newman's 25-bed critical access hospital that specializes in several medical areas, including orthopedics and general surgery. The hospital serves 10 counties, and is the largest employer in Ellis County, Okla. After joining the hospital in February 2023, Mr. Vasko successfully launched orthopedic and surgery service lines. He also launched an outpatient infusion clinic and a women's health line. He is also active in policy and advocacy at the state and federal levels for rural healthcare.
George Von Mock. CEO of Hansen Family Hospital (Iowa Falls, Iowa). Mr. Von Mock has served as CEO of Hansen Family Hospital, a MercyOne affiliate, since December 2021 after several months with the hospital as interim CEO. Under his leadership, the hospital was named a top 20 critical access hospital for 2023 by the National Rural Health Association. With over two decades of healthcare leadership experience, Mr. Von Mock was most previously CFO for Hansen Family Hospital, and director of finance for MercyOne Siouxland Medical Center in Sioux City, Iowa, before that.
Treg Vyzourek. CEO of Brodstone Healthcare (Superior, Neb.). Mr. Vyzourek has served as CEO of Brodstone Healthcare since 2018. During his tenure, he has led the organization to a five star CMS rating in quality and patient experience, led mental health service expansion, an increase, and is currently planning a new construction project. Additionally, Brodstone has been named a top 100 critical access hospital by the National Rural Health Association in 2019 and 2020, and a top 20 critical access hospital in 2023. Prior to his current role, Mr. Vyzourek worked in various roles, including senior director of ancillary services, at Great Plains Health in North Platte, Neb.
Rhonda P. Webb, MD. CEO and CMO of Pagosa Springs (Colo.) Medical Center. As CEO and CMO of Pagosa Springs Medical Center, Dr. Webb leads operations for the medical center's hospital, emergency and ambulatory services, and outpatient clinic. The hospital and emergency/ambulance services are the only ones in the county, while the outpatient clinic is the largest in the county. Dr. Webb works closely with the board of directors to create and launch strategies that address the roadblocks faced by rural critical access hospitals. Under her leadership, the hospital has expanded service lines and undergone renovations. Dr. Webb maintains financial stability for the medical center while handling compliance and risk management. As CMO, she ensures the safe delivery of quality medical services.
Kristie Williams. Vice President and CEO of Carilion Giles Community Hospital (Pearisburg, Va.). Ms. Williams is the leader of Carilion Giles Community Hospital, a 25-bed critical access hospital known for its exceptional emergency services and inpatient care. She also leads Carilion Tazewell (Va.) Community Hospital, which hosts advanced diagnostic and therapy services along with a veterans affairs clinic. With 26 years of experience at Carilion, she has been instrumental in expanding healthcare access in Giles County, introducing specialties such as ENT, urology and neurosurgery, and enhancing services in general surgery, orthopedics and cardiology. She led the successful swing bed project and recently announced the introduction of robotic assistants at Giles hospital, making it the first in Western Virginia to implement the technology for improved patient and staff experiences. Looking ahead, Ms. Williams plans to expand virtual care access in the Tazewell area and is continuing to strengthen partnerships with local health services. In recognition of her commitment to community health, she received Carilion’s "President’s Award" in 2022 and has taken on the additional role of CNO for Carilion's five regional community hospitals.
Lauren G. Wirth, MD. President and CEO of New London (N.H.) Hospital. Dr. Wirth is president and CEO of New London Hospital, which is part of Lebanon, N.H.-based Dartmouth Health system. She first joined the hospital in September 2023 as chief medical officer. Prior, she held various leadership roles within the Boston-based Mass General Brigham Community Group, including medical director and physician wellbeing chair.
Aaron Wood. President of Sanpete Valley Hospital (Mount Pleasant, Utah). Mr. Wood oversees Sanpete Valley Hospital, a nonprofit critical access hospital that is part of Intermountain Healthcare, a 24-hospital system. The Utah Hospital Association named Mr. Wood Rural Hospital CEO of the Year in 2019, recognizing his efforts to implement innovative healthcare delivery models. He has successfully recruited physicians and led the hospital to achieve one of the highest employee satisfaction scores in the Intermountain system.
Dustin Wright. CEO of Floyd Valley Healthcare (Le Mars, Iowa). Since 2018, Mr. Wright has served as CEO of Floyd Valley Healthcare, a leading critical access hospital that is nationally recognized for obstetrics. Starting in 2014, the healthcare center has had three multimillion-dollar additions. Mr. Wright most recently worked at UnityPoint Health's hospital in Marshalltown, Iowa, where he was vice president of operations.