Rural hospitals play a vital role in bringing high-quality care to patients in remote areas, eliminating the need for long travel while ensuring excellent healthcare access close to home. At the helm of these essential institutions are CEOs who wear many hats to keep their communities healthy and supported.

The leaders featured on this list are driving growth by expanding services, upgrading facilities and building skilled teams. Despite challenges like the pandemic and nationwide staffing shortages, these executives have implemented resilient strategies to keep their hospitals thriving for the long haul.

Note: This list is not exhaustive and is not an endorsement of included leaders, organizations or healthcare providers. Leaders and organizations cannot pay for inclusion on this list. We extend a special thank you to Rhoda Weiss for her contributions to this list. Leaders are presented in alphabetical order. 

We accepted nominations for this list. Contact Anna Falvey at afalvey@beckershealthcare.com with questions or comments.

Jose Acevedo, MD. President and CEO of UR Medicine Finger Lakes Health (Geneva, N.Y.). In his role as president and CEO of UR Medicine Finger Lakes Health, Dr. Acevedo oversees two hospitals, four long-term care facilities, numerous outpatient centers and over a dozen medical practices, ensuring comprehensive local access to care. Under his leadership, Geneva General Hospital earned Joint Commission certification as a primary stroke center and received gold seals of approval for disease-specific care in chest pain and joint replacement. He also spearheaded a $56 million modernization project at Geneva General, resulting in a new ICU, surgical unit, private inpatient rooms and emergency department. Dr. Acevedo also led the organization’s successful affiliation with the University of Rochester (N.Y.) Medical Center, and helped launch new specialty services including colorectal and breast surgery. He also serves as president of the Finger Lakes Health Foundation and the Finger Lakes Health College of Nursing and Health Sciences.

Brett Altman, DPT. CEO of Cass Health (Atlantic, Iowa). Dr. Altman oversees planning, direction, provider recruitment, coordination and overall executive leadership to support Cass Health’s mission. Thanks in large part to his leadership, the hospital has been named a top 20 critical access hospital by the National Rural Hospital Association every year since 2021 and has brought on over 70 new providers in less than seven years. From 2020-2023, Cass Health underwent a $20 million remodel, paid for with operating revenue without taking on any debt or touching reserves. Also in 2023, the system was awarded an $849,000 Iowa Workforce Development grant to establish a healthcare career registered apprenticeship program to assist individuals in becoming registered nurses. Cass Health has nearly doubled patient volume and market share during the eight years of Dr. Altman’s tenure.

Jason Amrich. CEO of Gunnison (Colo.) Valley Health. As CEO of Gunnison Valley Health, Mr. Amrich leads a comprehensive rural health system in Colorado, encompassing a critical access hospital, specialty clinics, paramedic services and more than 500 employees. He has implemented groundbreaking initiatives to ensure that advanced care is available in remote communities, including an Epic EHR transition, service line expansions, surgical robotics and AI scribes. Mr. Amrich also spearheaded a $12 million campaign for a new paramedic station and introduced Lean and just culture practices to improve quality, safety and accountability. His leadership has unified orthopedic and primary care services, preserved the legacy of local providers and built lasting partnerships with community stakeholders. The system has earned numerous recognitions under his tenure, including CMS 5-star ratings, American Heart Association awards and a Baby-Friendly designation.

Kristi Barnd. CEO of Henry County Hospital (Napoleon, Ohio). Ms. Barnd serves as the CEO at Henry County Hospital. With over 15 years at the organization, her leadership has brought cutting-edge innovation to a rural setting. Most notably, she guided the implementation of Meditech’s cloud-based Meditech-as-a-service solution, which enhanced care coordination and reduced IT burdens. Under her wing, the hospital has improved operational efficiency and gained greater autonomy over workflows and documentation all while boosting patient engagement. Ms. Barnd plays a prominent role regionally, having co-chaired the Ohio Hospital Association’s Northwest Ohio Quality Collaborative and served as a state examiner for The Partnership for Excellence. Her leadership has helped Henry County Hospital earn accolades such as the Healthy Business Council of Ohio’s “Healthy Worksite Gold Award” and multiple 5-star patient communication ratings.

Dara Bartels. CEO of Mile Bluff Medical Center (Mauston, Wis.). Ms. Bartels leads Mile Bluff Medical Center in delivering high-quality, patient-centered care to over 55,000 residents in south-central Wisconsin. With more than 20 years of experience in healthcare finance and executive leadership, she has driven significant advancements in operational efficiency, including the integration of AI-powered tools that save clinicians time and improve patient care. Her strong leadership has led to numerous capital improvements, including facility expansions and enhanced service lines. She fosters a positive workplace culture that prioritizes staff engagement and retention. The medical center has earned multiple recognitions under her care, including the “Performance Leadership Award” from The Chartis Center for Rural Health for excellence in outcomes in 2024.

Kelly Beach. Administrator and CNO for Ascension Sacred Heart (Gulf Port St. Joe, Fla.). Since taking on the dual role of administrator and CNO at Ascension Sacred Heart Gulf in 2021, Ms. Beach has led significant operational and clinical improvements at the rural Florida hospital. Under her leadership, the hospital earned the 2024 “Performance Leadership Award” by The Chartis Center for Rural Health in all three categories: quality, outcomes and patient perspective, making it the only hospital in the state to do so. She has expanded surgical capacity by recruiting a general surgeon and upgrading equipment, all while maintaining zero surgical site infections and hospital-acquired conditions for over five years. Ms. Beach also developed a pipeline program with local high school students, offering certifications in phlebotomy and electrocardiograms before graduation. She also helped secure over $1 million in state grants, raised hundreds of thousands for breast cancer initiatives, and oversaw the implementation of a new 3D mammography unit and the construction of a women’s center.

Mark Boucot. CEO of Garrett Regional Medical Center (Oakland, Md.). Mr. Boucot, president and CEO of Garrett Regional Medical Center, has over 30 years of healthcare experience. He has been serving the medical center’s 55-inpatient bed facility since 2013. The medical center has more than 500 team members. Under Mr. Boucot’s direction, the medical center has been named a two-time top 20 rural and community hospital. Mr. Boucot is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

Jeremy Bradford. President and CEO of Calvert Health System (Prince Fredrick, Md.). Mr. Bradford became president and CEO of CalvertHealth in 2023, bringing over two decades of experience across hospital, hospice and outpatient operations. Since assuming leadership, he launched a comprehensive five-year strategic plan, alongside a new mission, vision and core values developed with input from over 500 stakeholders and community members. Mr. Bradford previously held senior leadership roles at St. Louis-based SSM Health and Parrish Medical Center in Titusville, Fla. He has also served on boards in both Illinois and Maryland. Under his leadership, CalvertHealth has earned national recognition for critical care, oncology and stroke care, as well as The Joint Commission’s gold seal of approval. He is also a 2024 participant in the nonprofit Leadership Southern Maryland.

Mick Brant. CEO of Gothenburg (Neb.) Health. Mr. Brant is responsible for managing Gothenburg Health’s overall operations including delegating and directing agendas, driving profitability, managing the company’s organizational structure, strategy and communication with the board. Under his leadership, Gothenburg Health received an award from the Nebraska State Police Department for mobilizing its emergency staff to respond to a difficult-to-get-to accident and was credited with saving a young man’s life.

Steven J. Brockman-Weber, DNP, RN. President of Ascension Seton Northwest, Southwest, Shoal Creek (Austin, Texas), Highland Lakes (Burnet, Texas), Edgar B. Davis (Luling, Texas) and Smithville (Texas) Hospitals. Dr. Brockman-Weber is president of six rural hospital sites within the Ascension Texas market, overseeing 280 beds, 1,300 full-time employees and $1.4 billion in operating revenues. Under his direction, Ascension Seton Northwest earned both a CMS 5-star rating and a Leapfrog 5-star designation, while also being named among the best hospitals for maternity care according to U.S. News & World Report in 2025. He has launched robotics programs at Ascension Seton Highland Lakes and Southwest hospitals, helping drive innovation in rural surgical services. His hospitals consistently earn accolades, with Highland Lakes ranking No. 1 in Texas and No. 5 nationally for acute coronary interventions, and Edgar B. Davis receiving honors for exceptional patient experience. In addition to executive leadership, Dr. Brockman-Weber has held numerous influential roles in national nursing and healthcare leadership organizations, including the American Nurses Association, the American College of Healthcare Executives and the Texas Organization of Nursing Leaders, among others.

Scott Broome. CEO of MUSC Health Catawba Division (Charleston, S.C.). Mr. Broome is CEO of MUSC Health’s Catawba Division, where he provides executive leadership over board collaboration, strategic direction, profit and loss management, development, and recruitment and retainment. His role entails oversight of the 225-bed MUSC Lancaster (S.C.) Hospital and 82-bed MUSC Chester (S.C.) Medical Center. His work has helped to retain staff, enhance patient satisfaction, improve performance quality and grow service lines. Thanks to expanded service lines, critically ill patients are able to stay closer to home and achieve exceptional clinical outcomes.

Cheryl Brown. CEO of Henderson (Neb.) Health Care Services. Ms. Brown has served as the CEO of Henderson Health Care Services since 2009. The institution comprises two rural health clinics, a 13-bed critical access hospital, various specialty clinics, diagnostic and laboratory services, long-term and assisted living facilities and a surgical suite.

Doris Brown. CEO of Osborne (Kan.) County Memorial Hospital. Ms. Brown joined Osborne County Memorial Hospital in 2022. Prior, she was CEO of Gordon (Neb.) Memorial District Hospital for four years. She provides leadership for Osborne County Memorial Hospital’s five family medicine providers, as well as six specialists who also come to Osborne.

Dennis Campbell, RN. President of ECU Health Beaufort Hospital (Washington, N.C.). Mr. Campbell is president of ECU Health Beaufort Hospital, a 142-bed facility and home to Marion L. Shepard Cancer Center. He has improved employee, physician and provider satisfaction and retention through a collaborative leadership approach focused on culture and connection. In 2024, he simultaneously served as interim president of ECU Health North Hospital in Roanoke Rapids, N.C., successfully leading both hospitals during a critical transition. As a board member for Beaufort County Community College and the Eastern Area Health Education Center, he supports local education and health workforce pipelines. With a background in nursing and executive healthcare administration, he brings both clinical understanding and operational strategy to his leadership.

Matt Campion. Administrator of Avera Hand County Memorial Hospital (Miller, S.D.). Mr. Campion has served as administrator and interim CEO for Avera Hand County Memorial Hospital since July 2022. He bolstered his skills for the role through Avera’s administrative fellowship program before stepping into the role. The rural hospital has 25 staffed beds and newly renovated same-day surgery and recovery rooms.

Patrick A. Charmel. President and CEO of Griffin Health (Derby, Conn.). Mr. Charmel is president and CEO of rural health system Griffin Health, transforming it into a leader in person-centered care, with six consecutive appearances on Newsweek’s “World’s Best Hospitals” list. He led the 160-bed Griffin Hospital, the system’s flagship, in dramatically reducing patient wait times in the wound healing center, in maintaining exceptional outcomes and in receiving gold certification for excellence in person-centered care from Planetree International. Mr. Charmel also champions community wellness, spearheading initiatives to address social determinants of health including food access, housing and economic stability. As CEO of Planetree, he supports over 800 care sites globally in their pursuit of patient empowerment and humanistic care. He also chairs the Value Care Alliance of Connecticut, promoting collaborative, efficient, high-quality healthcare statewide. He is also a published author and decorated industry leader in rural and community health.

Chris Clark, DO. President of AHN Grove City (Pa.) Hospital. A practicing family physician with years of leadership experience across Pittsburgh-based Allegheny Health Network, Dr. Clark assumed the role of president of AHN Grove City Hospital in 2023. Among other roles, he has previously served as senior vice president of medical affairs, chief quality officer and director of medical education. In his current role, he leads the 89-bed rural acute care facility, as well as six outpatient clinics and lab sites. Dr. Clark has been focusing on hospital improvement, following a 2022 plan to invest $20 million into an emergency room expansion, Epic EHR integration and more. Dr. Clark also serves as president of AHN Saint Vincent Hospital in Erie, Pa.

Carl Cline. Vice President and Administrator of Carilion Franklin Community Hospital (Roanoke, Va.). Mr. Cline oversees the staff and operations of Carilion Franklin Memorial Hospital, a 37-bed rural community hospital. He has been with Carilion for over 30 years. Under his leadership, the system has expanded specialty care and reduced its backlog of patients, improving wait times and length of stay. In the last few years, Carilion has launched the rural area’s first neurology clinic. Mr. Cline also led a $15 million expansion project that added additional service lines, including podiatry and hand surgery. He also guided Carilion towards the expansion of its community health assessment, which identifies where the hospital needs to grow to meet demand.

Will Cook. President and CEO at Vail (Colo.) Health. Mr. Cook oversees the execution of the system’s strategic pillars of affordability, accessibility, population health and sustainability to forward Vail Health’s mission of elevating health across rural mountain communities. During his tenure as president and CEO, he has focused on expanding access to high-quality, affordable patient care, led the integration of primary and specialty care with the addition of Colorado Mountain Medical, oversaw the completion of a $350 million hospital renovation, and expanded operations in neighboring counties, including the opening of two new ambulatory surgery centers and a comprehensive outpatient medical center. He is passionate about addressing the community’s behavioral health crisis, leading the launch of the Vail Health Behavioral Health Innovation Center and the opening of both an outpatient behavioral health clinic and a 28-bed inpatient behavioral health hospital.

Teresa Cornelius, DNP, RN. Chief Administrative Officer for HSHS Holy Family Hospital (Greenville, Ill.) and HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital Highland (Ill.). Dr. Cornelius leads two critical access hospitals in rural Illinois, overseeing all clinical and operational functions at HSHS Holy Family Hospital and HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital. With nearly two decades of service at Springfield, Ill.-based Hospital Sisters Health System, she has advanced from bedside nurse to senior executive, most recently stepping in as interim CEO before being named CAO in June 2024. Her leadership has guided award-winning initiatives, including the reimagining of inpatient units and the implementation of substance use disorder support programs. These efforts earned state and national recognition from Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network. Dr. Cornelius also partners with public health organizations like the Metro East and Bond County Recovery Councils to reduce stigma and improve overdose prevention. Under her guidance, both hospitals have achieved CMS 5-star ratings for patient experience and have consistently demonstrated excellence in physician and nurse communication.

Michael Cureton. CEO at Sutter Amador (Sacramento) and Davis (Calif.) Hospitals. Mr. Cureton leads the only hospital in rural Amador County, Sutter Amador Hospital, and Sutter Davis Hospital. In this role, Mr. Cureton oversees all operations for community-based, nonprofit hospitals. Beyond direct oversight of his teams and facilities, he often serves as the face of Sutter Health for Jackson, Calif. and the surrounding region. He participates in panels and forums, speaks with media, engages with elected officials and represents Sutter at community meetings and events. He works closely with philanthropic donors, who have supported the purchase of updated medical equipment to help ensure great clinical outcomes and overall patient experience. Mr. Cureton also has a deep interest in population health management, quality improvement and innovation. He has led extensive research on the health needs of his community, leading needs assessments, key partnerships, and the prioritization of health equity, abuse treatment and food insecurity.

Jane Curran-Meuli. President of SSM Health Monroe (Wis.) Hospital and SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital – Janesville (Wis.). Ms. Curran-Meuli is hospital president for SSM Health Monroe Hospital and SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital–Janesville. She has over 25 years of experience in the healthcare industry. Ms. Curran-Meuli is in charge of setting strategic direction in alignment with SSM Health’s priorities.

Randall Dauby. CEO of Pinckneyville (Ill.) Community Hospital District. Mr. Dauby leads a $36 million healthcare organization consisting of a critical access hospital, rural health clinic, senior life behavioral program and a rehabilitation and fitness center. He has served in rural healthcare leadership throughout his entire career and understands the fragile environment of rural health. He is constantly advocating for the needs of rural healthcare providers near and far. He has been essential to growing services at Pinckneyville Community Hospital and recently oversaw a $12 million expansion project there.

Paulette Davidson. President and CEO of Monument Health (Rapid City, S.D.). Ms. Davidson has been with Monument Health since 2015. She was previously the health system’s COO. She is credited with initiating a $350 million project to expand several services at the hospital, including primary care, emergency services and hospital bed capacity.

William Davis. Regional President for Deaconess Illinois and Chief Administrative Officer at Deaconess Illinois Medical Center (Marion) and Deaconess Illinois Crossroads (Mount Vernon). Mr. Davis serves as Illinois region president and chief administrative officer for Deaconess Illinois Medical Center and Crossroads, overseeing strategic and operational functions. In the past year alone, he implemented systemwide “unreasonable hospitality” initiatives to elevate patient experience and oversaw the go-live of critical IT systems including Epic EHR and Pyxis, significantly enhancing clinical operations. He has expanded service lines, most notably by introducing dialysis and preparing a neuro unit launch, while also modernizing equipment across multiple sites ranging from imaging tools in cath labs to surgical video towers and chemistry analyzers. Mr. Davis’s influence extends beyond hospital walls through his active civic engagement, including board roles with the Illinois Hospital Association, American Red Cross of Illinois and more. Recognized for his contributions, he recently received the “President’s Award” from Rend Lake College Foundation and helped secure a 4-star patient survey rating from CMS at Deaconess Illinois Crossroads.

Thomas Dee. President and CEO at Southwestern Vermont Healthcare (Bennington). Mr. Dee provides the strategic leadership necessary to ensure the delivery of high-quality, cost-effective care that meets community needs and responsibly utilizes fiscal, human and physical resources. He oversees the planning, directing and management of current operations, financial sustainability, future growth and program development. He supports physicians, providers, nurses and staff through recruitment, development, compliance education and implementation, and continuing education opportunities. Mr. Dee also provides consultation concerning Vermont’s healthcare regulatory processes to the CEO and chief strategy officer of Lebanon, N.H.-based Dartmouth Health. In addition, he works closely with the system’s board of trustees to develop annual budgets, goals and objectives.

Mike Delfs. President and CEO of Jamestown (N.D.) Regional Medical Center. Thanks in large part to Mr. Delfs’ leadership as president and CEO, Jamestown Regional Medical Center was recognized as a top hospital by the National Rural Health Association in 2020. He has 28 years of experience in healthcare under his belt, with past leadership roles at independent hospitals and large integrated health systems.

Robyn Dunckhorst, BSN, RN. CEO of Humboldt General Hospital (Winnemucca, Nev.). As the sole direct employee of the board of trustees, Ms. Dunckhorst implements policies directed by the board. She recommends financial, legislative and administrative initiatives to the hospital to maintain and enhance existing service lines and add new lines. She coordinates staff concerns and recommendations with the board and handles disciplinary matters. She was recently invited to appear before a group of state legislators to discuss and recommend actions regarding concerns being considered in the upcoming, biennial legislative session. Ms. Dunckhorst has been with the hospital for nearly seven years.

Sunny Eappen, MD. President and CEO at The University of Vermont Health Network (Burlington). Dr. Eappen leads The University of Vermont Health Network, an academic health system that is evolving to meet the ever-changing dynamics of rural healthcare in Vermont and Northern New York. Half of its hospitals are critical access, which are key in preserving local services while connecting patients to a sustainable system of care. To address obstacles to digital access in rural areas and strengthen connections among rural providers and patients, the network implemented shared electronic medical records and digital image archiving. In the face of a workforce shortage exacerbated by rural recruitment and socioeconomic barriers, the Network Center for Workforce Development employs experiential learning, internal training programs and partnerships with colleges to fill frontline staff positions. They also partnered to create over 180 new housing units for employees in response to rural housing shortages, and the recruitment team is focusing on hiring about 250 additional providers. Dr. Eappen is renewing the focus on rural health disparities through a shift to value-based, population-health models and strategies such as a comprehensive and integrated system of care for cancer, which is one of five leading causes of premature death among rural residents.

Karla Eischens. President and CEO of Sanford Health Bemidji (Minn.) Medical Center. With over 25 years of experience in health care as a pharmacist and leader, Ms. Eischens focused on the needs of the employees, patients and communities she serves. Under her leadership, Sanford Bemidji took a pivotal step toward fostering cultural change within the organization by integrating cultural training courses into all employees’ annual education to discuss the intersection of Ojibwe culture and healthcare. The hospital also initiated leadership meetings with local tribal governments and community leaders to discuss opportunities to improve health disparities among Native American identifying patients.

Dar Elbert. CEO of Kossuth Regional Health Center (Algona, Iowa). Ms. Elbert has been with Kossuth Regional Health Center since 1987. She oversees an organization with 215 employees, a 25-bed critical access hospital, two family medicine clinics, home care, hospice and public health nursing agencies.

Chris Ellington. President and CEO of UNC Health Southeastern (Lumberton, N.C.). Since 2021, Mr. Ellington has served as president and CEO of UNC Health Southeastern, a health system supporting over 110,000 residents in Robeson County, N.C. Under his leadership, the organization has seen significant improvements in publicly reported quality scores, including a leap in patient experience scores from below the 10th percentile to the 41st percentile. Mr. Ellington spearheaded a $40 million investment in women’s and children’s health services, resulting in the first new labor and delivery unit with NICU in the county in decades. He also enhanced the organization’s visibility and community engagement through a media campaign and initiatives like an annual 5K health event. His tenure has stabilized financial outcomes, expanded medical education funding and strengthened community partnerships. Previously, he held senior leadership roles at Chapel Hill, N.C.-based UNC Health and Hazard, Ky.-based Appalachian Regional Healthcare. He currently serves on the North Carolina Healthcare Association’s governance committee.

Soniya Fidler. President of UCHealth Yampa Valley Medical Center (Steamboat Springs, Colo.). As president of UCHealth Yampa Valley Medical Center, Ms. Fidler is responsible for the long and short-term strategic planning of the hospital, leading strategic, growth and operational objectives on a broad basis across hospital operations. She leverages her  expertise and administrative knowledge to facilitate, measure, evaluate and interpret the needs of patients and performance of staff while directing activities accordingly. She has led several major projects for the hospital including a new partnership with Steamboat Orthopaedic & Spine Institute to create Steamboat Surgery Center, an ambulatory surgery center. Ms. Fidler has also helped develop a relationship with Old Town Hot Springs to benefit patients and the community as well as a new partnership with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield that enabled a more affordable insurance plan. She also was instrumental in cementing a longtime partnership with Steamboat Resort with the opening of an urgent care clinic at the base of the ski mountain.

Alan Finley. President of Dardanelle (Ark.) Regional Medical Center. Mr. Finley oversees Dardanelle Regional Medical Center, a 35-bed critical access medical center that employs more than 100 medical professionals. Mr. Finley has used his significant experience as a hospital administrator to build a strong partnership with Conway (Ark.) Regional and the Yell County Hospital Board. These partnerships resulted in the hospital increasing its net revenue from $9 million to nearly $20 million in just four years and establishing a three-year rural primary care residency program designed to bring primary care physician residents to the underserved Yell County area. Mr. Finley’s efforts to rebuild the employee culture at Dardanelle Regional have led to improved workplace satisfaction and increased employee engagement scores.

​​Conner Fiscarelli. CEO of Gove County Medical Center (Quinter, Kan.). Since August 2021, Mr. Fiscarelli has helmed Gove County Medical Center. He is in charge of managing all workflows in the practice and developing the skilled nursing service line. Having grown up in a rural area, his career has revolved around serving rural areas as an executive team member. Most recently, he served as senior director of skilled nursing and long-term care services at Rapid City, S.D.-based Monument Health.

Lukas Fischer. CEO of Linton (N.D.) Regional Medical Center and South Central Health (Wishek, N.D.). Mr. Fischer has more than 15 years of healthcare experience and has previously served as COO and chief nursing officer. As CEO, he oversees South Central’s two hospitals and seven rural health clinics. He recently oversaw a complete renovation of the main campus, along with expanding the laboratory department and adding negative pressure rooms to the MedSurg and emergency departments. During his tenure, his facilities have expanded multiple service lines and increased quality, leading to both facilities receiving the “Top 100 Critical Access Hospital” award every year since 2018.

Eric Fish, MD. President and CEO of Schneck Medical Center (Seymour, Ind.). Since September 2020, Dr. Fish has led a team of 1,000 employees at Schneck Medical Center. He also serves as president of the Health Development Corporation and as president of Coordinated Health, wholly owned subsidiaries of the medical center. After joining the medical center in 2005, he founded Schneck Obstetrics & Gynecology in 2006.

William Flattery. CEO of Carilion New River Valley Medical Center and Vice President of Carilion Clinic Western Region (Roanoke, Va.). Mr. Flattery oversees the 110-bed acute care facility, which offers modern medical operating rooms, state of the art technology like advanced imaging and robotic surgery, and multiple surgical and medical specialties. He first joined Carilion in 2007, bringing extensive healthcare management experience. He also oversees many primary care sites, helping to ensure rural residents have local access to highly trained specialists. Mr. Flattery regularly works with Carilion’s nearby academic partners, Virginia Tech, Radford University and the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, to provide and maintain care. The medical center also helps to provide specialty care to Virginia Tech and Radford athletes. Under his leadership, Carilion New River Valley Medical Center was awarded the American Nursing Credentialing Center Pathway to Excellence designation in 2021, becoming the eighth in the state and the first of seven Carilion hospitals to earn this recognition. Carilion New River Valley Medical Center was also recognized with the “Partner for Change Award” four years in a row by Practice Greenhealth, an organization dedicated to environmental sustainability in healthcare.

Laura Gentry, BSN, RN. CEO of Atrium Health Navicent Peach (Macon, Ga.). As CEO, Ms. Gentry is working to strengthen outpatient care, enhance primary care services and further integrate mental health resources. Her commitment to advancing rural healthcare plays a pivotal role in preserving access to quality care for underserved populations and in safeguarding the well-being of rural communities. Ms. Gentry’s unwavering commitment to patient-centered care is reflected in Navicent Peach’s consistently outstanding patient experience scores, which surpass industry benchmarks. By prioritizing effective communication, personalized care and patient comfort, she has cultivated an environment where patients feel genuinely valued and supported.

Austin Gillard. CEO of Clay County Medical Center (Kan.). Since 2015, Mr. Gillard has led Clay County Medical Center, which spans five rural health clinics and has over 125 credentialed medical providers. He has led the medical center through its acquisition of three rural health clinics, eight family practice physicians and four advanced practitioners. Before coming to Clay County, Mr. Gillard was CEO of Genoa (Neb.) Medical Facilities.

Lari Gooding. CEO of Allendale County Hospital (Fairfax, S.C.). Since January 2015, Mr. Gooding has led the 25-bed critical access Allendale County Hospital, as well as a 44-bed skilled nursing center and two rural health clinics. He wants to provide the region with the best care, aided by advances in medicine and technology. Prior to becoming CEO of Allendale County Hospital, Mr. Gooding held several administrator positions at different health systems.

Dan Grigg. CEO of Wallowa Memorial Hospital (Enterprise, Ore.). Mr. Grigg took on the CEO role at the 25-bed critical access hospital and level 4 trauma center in September 2023. He brings deep experience at both large and small hospitals. Prior to his current role, he was the CEO of small Oregon hospitals.

Adam Groshans. President of Mercy Health–Springfield (Ohio) Market. Mr. Groshans is market president for Bon Secours Mercy Health’s Springfield Market, which includes acute care hospitals in two counties and health services in two more counties. He took on his current role in 2019 and has since spearheaded the growth of several service lines, including interventional neurology, rheumatology, a midwife program and maternal fetal medicine program. He also addresses social determinants of health through initiatives like a local housing project, small business loan funding, and the discounted sale of a Mercy Health space to facilitate the creation of a mental health and drug treatment center. Prior to joining the Mercy system, he served on the administrative leadership team at Lebanon, Tenn.-based Tennova Healthcare.

Jason Harrington. President and CEO of Lakes Regional Healthcare (Spirit Lake, Iowa). Mr. Harrington has held leadership positions in healthcare since 1999, beginning with a more than seven-year tenure at Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center in Sioux Falls, S.D. He has served as president and CEO of Lakes Regional for more than 12 years. Mr. Harrington has also taught at Colorado Springs-based Colorado Technical University as an adjunct associate professor.

Amy Hart. CEO of Cuyuna Regional Medical Center (Crosby, Minn.). Ms. Hart oversees a $225 million organization with over 1,000 staff and a national reputation for high-acuity rural care. A fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, Ms. Hart has led over $100 million in construction projects and launched 10 specialty service lines, including a robotic surgery center of excellence. Her strategic initiatives have driven a 40% revenue increase from 2013 to 2020 and reduced orthopedic length of stay from 2.1 days to 17 hours through innovative care models. Under her leadership, the medical center has earned top industry accolades, including a spot on Newsweek’s “World’s Best Hospitals” list and U.S. News & World Report’s “high-performing hospital” designation. Outside the hospital, she serves on local boards and supports several community organizations through her own charity, the Hart Foundation.

Brian Harvill. President at ECU Health Chowan, Bertie and Roanoke-Chowan Hospitals (Edenton, Windsor and Ahoskie, N.C.). Mr. Harvill became president of ECU Health Roanoke-Chowan Hospital in September 2023 after serving as interim president since March. In addition, he continues to serve as president for ECU Health Chowan and Bertie Hospitals. Mr. Harvill has served in leadership roles at ECU Health for over a decade.

Jonathan Hatfield. CEO of Klickitat Valley Health (Goldendale, Wash.). Mr. Hatfield has spent more than 17 years with Klickitat Valley Health, working his way up from janitor to CEO and gleaning firsthand institutional knowledge along the way. His tenure as CEO has been marked by financial stability and meaningful service expansion, increasing access to care and specialty services for the rural area’s residents. Mr. Hatfield’s deep understanding of operational workflows and rural challenges has helped the system earn national recognition, including being named one of Chartis’ top 100 critical access hospitals. He led the system through complex healthcare transitions as director of IT and compliance, including during the Covid-19 pandemic, and now continues to drive innovation and resilience across the organization as CEO. Notably, he shared insights at the 2024 ViVE conference, sharing how the system leveraged automation to recover over $1 million annually.

Curtis Hawkinson. President and CEO of Community Memorial Healthcare (Marysville, Kan.). Mr. Hawkinson has built a nearly 30-year career in healthcare leadership. He’s held his position at Community Memorial for almost two decades. Under his leadership, the $17.3 million facility was named one of the top 100 critical access hospitals in the nation by the Chartis Center for Rural Health for 2025.

Martha Henley. CEO of Unity Medical Center (Manchester, Tenn.). Ms. Henley has led Unity Medical Center as CEO for 14 years, overseeing a 49-bed acute care hospital and two rural health clinics. Under her leadership, the medical center transformed from a struggling facility to a recognized rural healthcare model, achieving multiple Healthgrades “Outstanding Patient Experience Awards” from 2021-2023 and earning a rare 5-star CMS rating for overall hospital quality. Ms. Henley successfully spearheaded the consolidation of two nearby rural hospitals and the conversion of the medical center from for-profit to nonprofit status, strengthening the hospital’s financial stability and operational efficiency. She also serves as COO of Java Medical Group, which supports rural hospitals nationwide. Notable accomplishments include securing DNV accreditation for patient safety and leading the medical center to numerous awards for quality and workplace excellence.

Jeremiah “JJ” J. Hodshire. President and CEO of Hillsdale (Mich.) Hospital. Mr. Hodshire serves as the leader of Hillsdale Hospital, defining strategic goals and plans to support the institution’s philosophy and general objectives. He initiates policies and procedures to achieve the hospital’s aims, objectives and programs. In part due to his leadership, Hillsdale Hospital received the “Performance Leadership Award” from The Chartis Center for Rural Health for 2023 and was named a “Healthcare Top Workplace” by Energage.

Jamie Houseman. President of Mercy Health–Urbana (Ill.) Hospital. Known for her hands-on leadership, Ms. Houseman stepped into frontline roles during the Covid-19 pandemic and continues to foster a culture of teamwork and recognition through her current position as president. Under her leadership, Urbana Hospital secured key funding for initiatives like a redesigned radiology department and community paramedicine program, and completed major upgrades including a new hospital entrance. The hospital has achieved two consecutive five-star CMS ratings, a 2023 Chartis “Performance Leadership Award”, and national recognition for sustainability and energy efficiency. Ms. Houseman’s community involvement includes serving as president of the Urbana Rotary Club and holding leadership roles with several local nonprofits.

Loy Howard. President and CEO of Tanner Health System (Carrollton, Ga.). Mr. Howard serves as president and CEO of Tanner Health System, a rural health system spanning five hospitals. He oversees strategic goals and daily operations, expands clinical services, and grows the health system’s hospitals. Mr. Howard also established and leads Tanner Medical Group, which has grown into one of metro Atlanta’s largest multispecialty physician groups. He currently serves on the board for Tanner Health System, the Heard County Water Authority and the Georgia Alliance of Community Hospitals, while serving as chair of economic development organization Carroll Tomorrow.

Eric Heupel. CEO of Ashley (N.D.) Medical Center. Ashley Medical Center is a critical access hospital and skilled nursing facility, where Mr. Heupel leads strategic, financial and clinical operations. Under his leadership, the organization earned key designations, including acute stroke ready status, trauma 5 designation, and a “Bronze Quality Award” for excellence in skilled nursing care from Agency for Health Care Administration/National Center for Assisted Living. He has driven a major financial turnaround by boosting revenue and cutting operational costs through contract renegotiations and improved revenue cycle management. He has also led upgrades to clinical technology and facilities, while launching new community-focused services like eye care and chiropractic care. Notably, Mr. Heupel remains hands-on in care delivery, serving as an on-call paramedic 5 to 6 days a week.

Carrie Jankowski. President of Mercy Health–Allen Hospital (Oberlin, Ohio). Ms. Jankowski has served Mercy Health for nearly 30 years, starting in 1997 as a radiology technician. She rose through the ranks, eventually becoming vice president of ancillary and support before being appointed to her current role as president of Allen Hospital in 2021. Her leadership has driven significant improvement in Allen Hospital’s quality, culture and financial performance, including improving the hospital’s revenues by 21.4%. Ms. Jankowski is responsible for strategic leadership and growth of the hospital, executing the organization’s strategic plan and developing growth opportunities to expand the hospital’s presence within the Oberlin community. She also serves on the American Heart Association’s board of directors.

Arlan Johnson. CEO of Howard County Medical Center (St. Paul, Neb.). Mr. Johnson began his career at Howard County Medical Center in 2007 as a clinic director. After three years, he was promoted to CEO. Prior to joining the staff at HCMC, he worked in the banking industry for more than 15 years. The hospital is a 10-bed critical access hospital.

Charles “Chuck” Kassis. Administrator for Adventist Health Clear Lake (Roseville, Calif.). Mr. Kassis oversees a 25-bed critical access hospital and more than 20 outpatient clinics across Lake, Butte and Tehama counties in Northern California. With a 38-year career in healthcare leadership, he has held CEO and COO roles across multiple hospitals and excels in financial performance, operational efficiency and physician engagement. Under his leadership, Adventist Health Clear Lake earned a CMS 5-star rating and consistent honors like the Collaborative Alliance for Nursing Outcomes “Performance Excellence Award” and a spot on the maternity honor roll. A former respiratory therapist, Mr. Kassis brings a clinical foundation to strategic planning, ensuring improvements align with patient safety and experience. He has successfully led major infrastructure projects, including hospital construction, and is deeply committed to community health partnerships.

Chris Klay. President and CEO of Hospital Sisters Health System Southern Illinois Market and CEO of HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital (O’Fallon, Ill.). Mr. Klay leads the Southern Illinois market for Springfield, Ill.-based Hospital Sisters Health System, overseeing three rural acute care facilities and the 144-bed HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital. He has been part of Hospital Sisters Health System since 2009 and began leading the Southern Illinois market in November 2023. With a clinical background as a physical therapist, he prioritizes balancing strategic growth with frontline perspective. He is currently spearheading a major expansion at St. Elizabeth’s, including a proposed ambulatory surgery center and medical office building to serve the growing Metro East population. Under his guidance, several hospitals in the market have earned accolades from Fortune/PINC AI and The Chartis Center for Rural Health, including recognition as top rural hospitals. He has fostered strong leadership structures and meaningful community partnerships, supporting rural communities with quality, compassionate care close to home.

Colleen Koski, MSN, RN. Chief Administrative Officer of HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital (Oconto Falls, Wis.). Ms. Koski has devoted over three decades to nursing and leadership in rural health, culminating in her current role as chief administrative officer of HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital, a 25-bed critical access facility. As a longtime resident of Oconto County and a hospital leader since 2008, she brings local insight to her role, balancing clinical oversight with operational strategy. Under her leadership, the hospital has earned repeated national recognition, including a “Top 100 Critical Access Hospital” designation from Chartis and a “Guardian of Excellence” award from Press Ganey for physician alignment and patient experience. Ms. Koski is celebrated for creating a cross-trained, resource-conscious workforce that drives performance in outcomes, satisfaction and engagement.

Clint Kotal. CEO of Methodist Hospital | Hill Country (Fredericksburg, Texas). Mr. Kotal became the first CEO of Methodist Hospital | Hill Country in 2023. He has more than 15 years of experience in healthcare leadership and most recently served as the hospital’s chief health integration officer. Under his leadership, the hospital consistently saw high marks in patient experience, quality performance and market share growth.

Bob Kroese. CEO of Pella (Iowa) Regional Health Center. As CEO, Mr. Kroese leads the 25-bed Pella Regional Health Center, a private, nonprofit hospital accredited by The Joint Commission. Established in 1960, Pella Regional has grown into a system that includes the hospital, outpatient services and numerous medical clinics.

Ryan Larsen. CEO of Community Medical Center (Falls City, Neb.). Mr. Larsen has served in his role since September 2005. During his tenure, the medical center built a new facility which opened in November 2009 and completed an expansion in 2018. He was previously CFO of Memorial Hospital (now UnityPoint Health) in Carthage, Ill. He was also CFO of Wamego (Kan.) City Hospital.

David Leighton. Administrator of Adventist Health Ukiah (Calif.) Valley. Mr. Leighton leads Adventist Health Ukiah Valley, a 51-bed acute care facility with outpatient services and 21 clinics serving as a regional hub for services for rural communities in the county and beyond. As an administrator, he manages the day to day operations of Ukiah Valley’s hospital and clinics, ensuring physicians and care teams have the support and tools they need to continue providing exceptional care. Under his leadership and dedication, Ukiah Valley is well-positioned for future growth and sustainability.

Lisa LeTexier. CEO of Pembina County Memorial Hospital (Cavalier, N.D.). As CEO, Ms. LeTexier leads the 20-bed critical access Pembina County Memorial Hospital, which has been operating for more than 60 years. The hospital also includes a rural healthcare clinic, independent living apartment complex and a 40-bed skilled nursing home.

Marcus Lewis. CEO of First Care Health Center (Park River, N.D.). Mr. Lewis came to First Care Health Center in 2017. He was previously CFO of Cavalier County Memorial Hospital in Langdon, N.D. He has also worked as an emergency medical responder technician.

Kim Lucero. CEO of Mt. San Rafael Hospital (Trinidad, Colo.). Ms. Lucero serves as CEO of Mt. San Rafael Hospital and Clinics, bringing a deep commitment to innovation, quality and community connection. She has reshaped the trajectory of the organization by ensuring sustainable growth, operational excellence and improved patient access. Under her leadership, Mt. San Rafael Hospital and Clinics was named one of the “Top 20 Critical Access Hospitals” in the nation for 2025 by the National Rural Health Association and ranked in the top five for overall performance among all rural hospitals in the U.S. These accolades reflect a sweeping elevation of services, strategy and patient outcomes during her tenure. The hospital was also named a “Top 100 Critical Access Hospital” by the Chartis Center for Rural Health in 2025. Ms. Lucero has spearheaded major advancements across the enterprise, including digital transformation, AI-driven clinical innovation, employee engagement and a long-range master facility plan to meet future community needs. Her leadership has also positioned the hospital as a model for cybersecurity readiness and care delivery in rural America.

Greg Madsen. CEO of Carilion Rockbridge Community Hospital and VIce President of Carilion Clinic Eastern Division (Roanoke, Va.). Mr. Madsen serves as vice president and CEO of Carilion Rockbridge Community Hospital, which is part of Carilion Clinic. His role includes overseeing the 25-bed critical access hospital and outpatient care as well as outreach activities. He has regional responsibility over care delivery in four Carilion regions. Since the pandemic, the facility has been steadily working to expand surgical services and capacity. Mr. Madsen has overseen renovations to the hospital system’s operating rooms, new pharmacy space, labs and staff work areas and consolidated ambulatory and post-anesthesia care units. He has also brought new services and offerings like neurology and family medicine to the region.

Mary Mannix. President and CEO of Augusta Health (Fishersville, Va.). Ms. Mannix has served as president and CEO of Augusta Health for over 16 years, transforming it into a nationally recognized, community-focused health system serving more than 300,000 people across Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. Under her leadership, Augusta Health launched mobile neighborhood clinics in 17 underserved locations, partnered with the Durham, N.C.-based Duke Cancer Network and Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo Clinic Care Network, and developed a 250-provider multispecialty group alongside a Medicare-approved ACO with 410 integrated providers. She led the creation of a hospital-based organic farm to combat food insecurity and improve nutrition, and she strengthened population health efforts during the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2024, Augusta Health received both the CMS “Health Equity Award” and the American Hospital Association “Equity of Care Award” for its efforts in addressing health disparities. Her leadership continues to earn national honors, including a patient safety excellence recognition from Healthgrades and “A” grades from The Leapfrog Group since 2016.

Peter Marinoff. President of Munson Healthcare Cadillac (Mich.) Hospital. Mr. Marinoff is president of Munson Healthcare Cadillac. He was previously interim president of the hospital, starting in July 2021. He joined the health system in 1999, beginning as an accountant. Previously, he worked at public accounting firms in Virginia and Traverse City, Mich.

Jim Marshall. President and CEO of Uintah Basin Healthcare (Roosevelt, Utah). Mr. Marshall’s leadership has led to significant improvements in the health and wellbeing of Uintah Basin Healthcare and its community since taking on the president and CEO role in 2014. Achievements include enhancements in care quality, safety and experience, and continued service line expansion. Mr. Marshall aims to ensure that UBH will be among the nation’s most advanced and comprehensive rural healthcare systems for a community of its size.

Steve Massey. President and CEO of Westfields Hospital and Clinic (New Richmond, Wis.). Mr. Massey first came to the organization as president and CEO in 2011. He led the hospital in the merger between Westfields Hospital and New Richmond Clinic in 2013. He previously served as CFO at Osceola (Wis.) Medical Center.

John Massimilla. Vice President of WellSpan Health (York, Pa.) and President of WellSpan Chambersburg (Pa.) Hospital. As the president of WellSpan Chambersburg Hospital, Mr. Massimilla is responsible for day-to-day operations, performance improvement, and patient experience initiatives across WellSpan Chambersburg Hospital. In his over 30 years of service to WellSpan, Mr. Massimilla has developed and executed systemwide initiatives that have improved patient experience. He serves on a variety of boards within the area he serves and was named as the Shippensburg Person of the Year by members of the Shippensburg Area Chamber of Commerce, an award recognizing a leader who makes positive contributions to enhance the community.

Christina McCulloch, BSN, RN. President of Sharon Hospital (Danbury, Conn.). Ms. McCulloch is responsible for the overall fiscal, operational and strategic direction of Sharon Hospital and is accountable to the board of directors and system leadership. She ensures appropriate structures are in place for the effective management and control of resources. She also has a background in clinical nursing, allowing her to quickly assess and navigate challenging situations. She helps direct human, material and financial resources to appropriately meet community needs. In her role, she has enhanced and developed integral services, including launching a telemedicine asset during the Covid-19 pandemic. She has been a clinician for over 20 years and has been a leader at Sharon for 15. The hospital recently joined forces with New Hyde Park, N.Y.-based Northwell Health thanks to a recent merger.

Donna McGregor. President at St. Lawrence Health, Rochester (N.Y.) Regional Health. Ms. McGregor leads three rural hospitals, 2,165 employees, and a 234-member medical staff in St. Lawrence County in Northern New York. She joined St. Lawrence Health in 2020 as Chief Financial Officer and was promoted to President in 2022. An accomplished executive with extensive experience transforming rural health systems and achieving strategic growth, she has a strong track record of innovative accomplishments. These include implementing an electronic medical record system and securing more than $20 million in state and federal support to advance the new St. Lawrence Region Rural Health Strategy focused on expanding patient transportation, maternal child health, behavioral health outreach, primary care, and workforce development. Before her leadership in Rochester, Ms. McGregor served in executive leadership managing and growing complex healthcare organizations, including Health Quest, Putnam Hospital Center and Crystal Run Healthcare.

Thomas Mee, BSN, RN. CEO of North Country Healthcare (Whitefield, N.H.). Mr. Mee leads North Country Healthcare, the state’s largest rural health employer, uniting three critical access hospitals and a home health agency under a single, integrated care system. With over 30 years in healthcare leadership, he has merged operations and EHR platforms across facilities, reducing duplication and enhancing access to shared services like maternity care. Mr. Mee’s implementation of the “Sleepless Nights” initiative reduced biopsy result waiting times by 50%, a prime example of data-driven decision-making improving patient experience. Under his guidance, the system achieved College of Healthcare Information Management Executives’ “Most Wired” designation four years running and top patient satisfaction scores from Press Ganey. A regular presence on hospital floors, Mr. Mee emphasizes daily engagement with staff and patients to drive operational improvements and morale.

Jeff Mengenhausen. CEO of Montrose (Colo.) Regional Health. Mr. Mengenhausen joined Montrose Regional Health as CEO in 2021. Within the first four years of his leadership, the system completed a four-story ambulatory care center, separated its governance from Montrose County, added more than 100 new providers, expanded numerous service lines and extended care into surrounding communities. Under his leadership, the system has earned multiple organizational honors, including the 2025 Healthgrades “Outstanding Patient Experience Award” and “Patient Safety Excellence Award”, its ninth designation as a Chartis “Top 100 Rural and Community Hospital”, and recognition as a “Best-in-Class Employer” in Gallagher’s 2024 U.S. benefits strategy and benchmarking survey. Mr. Mengenhausen has more than 15 years of experience in healthcare leadership. Before coming to Montrose Regional Health, he served as CEO of Madelia (Minn.) Health.

Jason Merkley. President and CEO of Brookings (S.D.) Health System. Mr. Merkley was appointed CEO of Brookings Health System in 2011. Before joining Brookings, Mr. Merkley served as manager of managed care services and care analyst of Sioux Falls, S.D.-based Avera Health. He has experience in leading both clinical and ancillary support departments and has overseen numerous construction projects.

Carlos Milanes. CEO of Edgefield (S.C.) County Healthcare. Mr. Milanes has been in charge of the 25-bed hospital since 2016. The hospital was established in January 1972 as Edgefield County Hospital. The hospital was named a top 20 critical access hospital in best practice in quality by the National Rural Health Association for 2021 and 2022. Before joining Edgefield County Healthcare, Mr. Milanes served as CEO of Aiken (S.C.) Regional Medical Centers.

Cassie Mogg. CEO for Covenant Health Plainview (Texas). As CEO for Covenant Health Plainview, Ms. Mogg oversees the planning, administration, coordination and evaluation of departments. She also maintains standards compliance, budget development and administration, community relationship management, public administrations, medical staff support, recruitment, retention and more. The hospital achieved ANCC Pathways to Excellence and completed the steps to achieve a Joint Commission Joint Replacement Center of Excellence in 2022. The hospital also acquired a Da Vinci surgical robot in fall 2023.

Susan Mooney, MD. President and CEO of Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital (Lebanon, N.H.). Dr. Mooney joined the medical staff as an obstetrician/gynecologist at Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital in 2000, a role she served in until 2005. She then pursued fellowship training for two years before rejoining the hospital as the medical director of quality, and later assuming the chief medical officer role. She became president and CEO for the hospital in April of 2013. Dr. Mooney’s leadership has contributed to the hospital seeing the highest employee engagement rating within the Dartmouth Health system for the past two years. She also created a diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging coordinator position in 2022, fostering an environment where everyone feels seen and heard.

Andrew Morgan. President of Mercy Health–Tiffin and Willard Hospitals (Ohio). Since taking on the role of president in 2022, Mr. Morgan has led a 20% increase in acute care volume at Willard Hospital and a 5% increase in emergency visits at Tiffin. He oversaw a $3.1 million labor and delivery expansion at Tiffin and introduced new service lines like behavioral health at Willard. He also expanded oncology care at both hospitals. Mr. Morgan strengthened education pipelines by launching clinical training partnerships with Mercy College and local universities. Under his leadership, both hospitals achieved top-tier patient experience scores, with Tiffin ranking in the top quartile nationally and Willard in the top decile.

Jody Nelson. CEO of St. Luke’s Medical Center (Crosby, N.D.). Mrs. Nelson has been in charge of the 20-bed St. Luke’s Medical Center since 2016. In 2021, the hospital was named one of the Top 20 Critical Access Hospitals for Best Practice in Quality in the U.S. by National Rural Health Association.

Gregory Nielsen. CEO of East Jefferson General Hospital (Metairie, La.). Mr. Nielsen brings extensive healthcare leadership experience from both nonprofit and investor-owned sectors, currently serving as CEO of East Jefferson General Hospital. Prior to joining New Orleans-based LCMC Health, he held senior roles at organizations including American Physician Partners and RCCH HealthCare Partners, overseeing hospitals across 18 states. Mr. Nielsen’s career has spanned executive roles at various regional health systems, where he led improvements in care delivery, financial performance and physician alignment. A fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, he is known for orchestrating systemwide performance transformations in complex, multi-site organizations. His deep operational knowledge and strategic clarity enable him to adapt to the shifting demands of modern healthcare. At East Jefferson, Mr. Nielsen is focused on building capacity, improving patient outcomes and strengthening service lines to support the long-term needs of the greater New Orleans community.

Chuck Nordyke, MSN, RN. President and CEO of Clarinda (Iowa) Regional Health Center. Mr. Nordyke has served as president and CEO of Clarinda Regional Health Center since 2018, during which the hospital launched a dedicated mental health clinic through a partnership with Azria Health Clarinda and expanded emergency services by establishing an air evacuation lifeteam base. In recognition of these efforts, the organization earned a 5-star rating from the National Rural Rating System in 2024 and a 4-star CMS rating in 2023. Clarinda Regional Health Center has also received the “Governor’s Volunteer Award” and top-tier certification from the Iowa Hospital Association for board leadership. With a career spanning leadership roles at various healthcare organizations and in healthcare consulting, he brings deep expertise and a culture-driven leadership approach to rural health.

Jill Ostrem. President of River Falls (Wis.) Area Hospital, United Hospital (St. Paul, Minn.) and United Hospital–Hastings (Minn.) Regina Campus. Ms. Ostrem serves as president of Allina Health’s River Falls Area Hospital, United Hospital and the Hastings Regina Campus, overseeing operations across multiple facilities in Minnesota and Wisconsin. She is a seasoned executive with over 30 years of healthcare leadership. She championed the expansion of “Project SEARCH”, now in its 10th year, which supports individuals with developmental disabilities in gaining competitive employment through immersive job training. Under her leadership, River Falls has achieved national recognition, including a CMS 5-star inpatient experience rating and being named a “Top 100 Critical Access Hospital” by Chartis.

Rozanna Penney. President and CEO of Heywood Hospital (Gardner, Mass.). Ms. Penney oversees the community hospital’s strategic development, quality and patient safety initiatives, financial stewardship, medical staff relations and community health advocacy. She is recognized for steering the hospital through Chapter 11 restructuring, achieving operational turnaround with $14 million in annualized savings, and expanding key service lines like inpatient mental health and surgical volumes. Under her leadership, the hospital earned a 4-star CMS quality rating in 2024 and the highest quality performance score among managed care contracts. She champions health equity through programs like school-based telebehavioral health and the “Handle With Care” initiative for trauma-affected youth. As the first female CEO of Heywood and a Mass Hospital Association board member, Ms. Penney serves as a dedicated mentor advancing women in healthcare leadership and a community advocate addressing regional health disparities.

Joseph Perras, MD. President and CEO of Cheshire Medical Center (Keene, N.H.). Dr. Perras ensures Cheshire Medical Center provides the highest quality care in the safest possible environment for its staff and patients. Cheshire is the largest provider of healthcare in the county and serves as a regional referral center for parts of New Hampshire, Vermont and Massachusetts. Under Dr. Perras’ leadership, Cheshire has committed to its people, patients and community through growth of clinical service lines and long term financial sustainability. He previously served as chairperson of the American Hospital Association’s Small or Rural Hospital Council and has been appointed to the AHA’s Institute of Diversity and Health Equity, working with health services organizations to advance healthcare equity and leadership opportunities for underrepresented groups in healthcare management.

Cathy Pimple, DNP, MSN, RN. CEO of Newman Regional Health (Emporia, Kan.). Dr. Pimple has led Newman Regional Health with a focus on clinical excellence, workforce development and strategic innovation. Within her time at the organization, it has ranked in the 90th percentile nationally for SEP-1 compliance and launched a new pulmonary rehabilitation program to serve patients with chronic lung conditions. She championed a $500,000 investment in Emporia State University’s simulation hospital, strengthening both local nursing education and the hospital’s recruitment pipeline. In 2024, Newman Regional became the first hospital in the nation to implement the “RapidAlerts Direct” project. The hospital also earned Blue Distinction Centers status for maternity care from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas. Dr. Pimple supports a positive workplace culture through daily leadership huddles, the “DAISY award” program, and an annual staff recognition banquet. With more than 30 years in healthcare, she brings extensive expertise and vision to her dual roles as CEO and educator.

Ashley Pool. CEO of Highlands Medical Center (Scottsboro, Ala.). Ms. Pool brings more than 25 years of healthcare experience to her role as CEO of Highland Medical Center. She previously led Lakeland Community Hospital in Haleyville, Ala. from the brink of closure to long-term sustainability, underscoring her strength in rural hospital turnarounds. At Highlands, she has maintained Joint Commission accreditation and achieved zero hospital-acquired infections in 2023. Ms. Pool holds degrees in both nursing and healthcare management, combining clinical insight with strategic leadership. Her responsibilities span operations, financial performance and care quality, with a focus on aligning clinical priorities with business outcomes. She also serves on the Chamber of Commerce and the board of respiratory therapy, reinforcing her investment in regional health and economic development.

Lance Porter. CEO of Banner Wyoming Medical Center (Casper, Wyo.). Mr. Porter leads a 217-bed regional referral center in the most rural U.S. state. The hospital is Wyoming’s largest, serving 250,000 and serving an area that faces transportation challenges due to weather and limited health services and specialists.  Mr. Porter became CEO shortly after Phoenix-based Banner Health acquired the hospital in 2020. He has led the hospital and community through immense change, integrating the formerly independent hospital with a large multi-state health system during the depths of the pandemic. Under his leadership, the hospital regained its American College of Surgeons level 2 trauma center status, expanded telestroke access to nine sites across Wyoming and maintained its American Heart and Stroke Associations “Gold Plus Stroke Award” and Joint Commission primary stroke center status. He has led more than $70 million in capital improvements, including a comprehensive maintenance and upgrade plan and new electrophysiology lab slated to open in 2025. He successfully recruited dozens of primary care providers and high-level specialists, while decreasing traveling staff and employee turnover and leading a sharp 13-point increase in employee satisfaction scores in 2024. He was previously CEO at Banner Payson (Ariz.) Medical Center.

Candy Powell. Administrator of Collingsworth General Hospital (Wellington, Texas). Ms. Powell was named administrator of Collingsworth General Hospital in 2006. Prior to her role as administrator, Ms. Powell was director of radiology and also oversaw laboratory operations, housekeeping, maintenance and the central supply department at the hospital.

Jeff Prater. CEO of Carson Valley Health (Gardnerville, Nev.). As CEO, Mr. Prater oversees the executive leadership team and operations for all six Carson Valley Health locations, including expansion strategy and execution of the organizational vision. He is uniquely able to focus on both the business and human aspects of healthcare. He always considers how decisions made by the system will affect the patients and the staff, and uses this principle first and foremost to guide his leadership strategy. Under Mr. Prater’s leadership, net patient service revenue has grown 26.6% in the last four years.

August Querciagrossa. CEO of the Western Region at OSF HealthCare (Peoria, Ill.). Mr. Querciagrossa brings nearly 30 years of experience at OSF and has been instrumental in expanding access to care, particularly through expansion of emergency services in rural areas. As strategic leader for the Western Region of OSF, Mr. Querciagrossa ensures clinical and administrative services align with community needs while maintaining operational efficiency. His leadership was crucial in addressing the closure of St. Margaret’s Health in Spring Valley and Peru, Ill., where he played a pivotal role in establishing urgent care, primary care and other critical services. His team quickly developed local healthcare solutions, including acquiring the former St. Margaret’s facility in Peru, now a second campus of OSF HealthCare Saint Elizabeth Medical Center. More recently, he oversaw the successful acquisition of KSB Hospital in Dixon, which became OSF HealthCare Saint Katharine Medical Center, expanding the health system’s footprint with its 17th hospital. Mr. Querciagrossa manages nine hospitals across a large region. Under his leadership, several hospitals in his region earned national accolades for patient safety.

Benjamin “Ben” Richaud. CEO of Lakeview Hospital (Covington, La.). Mr. Richaud, a native of Louisiana’s Northshore, brings more than a decade of senior healthcare leadership to his role as CEO of Lakeview Hospital, part of New Orleans-based LCMC Health. Previously CEO of the 603-bed Baptist Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, he now leads operations and strategic development at Lakeview’s 167-bed full-service hospital. His leadership is rooted in financial discipline and patient-centered care, with a strong focus on cultivating high-performing teams to enhance service across emergency, surgical, behavioral and cardiovascular care lines. Mr. Richaud’s return to the Northshore represents a personal and professional investment in the health of his home community. He is known for implementing sustainable practices that scale quality without compromising access.

Ted Rogalski. Administrator for MercyOne Genesis Aledo (Ill.) and MercyOne Genesis DeWitt (Iowa) Medical Center. Mr. Rogalski oversees a combined $60 million in revenue and 350 employees across two critical access hospitals, three rural health clinics and two retail pharmacies. Under his leadership, DeWitt Medical Center expanded outpatient services such as physical therapy, infusion and cardiac rehab, resulting in over 30% growth in each area and a $16 million year-over-year revenue increase. He also led the conversion of family practice groups into rural health clinics and acquired a local pharmacy to integrate into the hospital system. His hospitals have earned top recognitions, including the 2024 “Lilypad Award” and 2023 Chartis “Quality Performance Leadership Award” for Aledo, and Pathways to Excellence designation for DeWitt. Mr. Rogalski is a former chair of both the Illinois Hospital Association and Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network, where he wielded statewide influence in rural healthcare policy.

Rena Salamacha. CEO of Mee Memorial Healthcare System (King City, Calif.). Ms. Salamacha is responsible for leading a team of executives and care providers that offer high-quality healthcare services to the local community. After taking over as CEO in early 2019, she went into the Covid-19 pandemic facing a unique challenge. Despite this challenge, she demonstrated her ability to bring various groups together and maintained round-the-clock healthcare delivery. She also expanded services, campus locations and led her organization-wide revitalization of the system’s business functions.

Preston Sauers. CEO of Kingman (Kan.) Healthcare Center. Prior to joining Kingman Healthcare Center, Mr. Sauers served as the director of business operations at Ellsworth (Kan.) County Medical Center for 17 years. He was appointed CEO of Kingman in April 2021. The 25-bed facility has a level IV trauma emergency department and has been recognized as a “Top 20 Critical Access Hospital” by the National Rural Health Association for the past eight years.

Brent Schmidt. Hospital President of Intermountain Sevier Valley Hospital (Richfield, Utah). Mr. Schmidt was appointed administrator and CEO of Sevier Valley Hospital in April 2021, where he previously served as director of ancillary and support services. In that role, Mr. Schmidt oversaw operations for 11 departments, as well as the completion of a construction project in the facility’s emergency department and women’s center. The hospital was recognized as a “Top 100 Performing Rural and Community Hospital” by the Chartis Center for Rural Health and was one of 10 hospitals in the state to receive the “HealthInsight Quality Award”.

Annette Schnabel. President of Parkland Health Center (Farmington, Mo.). Ms. Schnabel leads Parkland Health Center’s two campuses in southeastern Missouri, overseeing a full-service acute care hospital in Farmington and a rural critical access hospital in Bonne Terre. She made history by securing Missouri’s first rural emergency hospital designation for Parkland, positioning the system as a statewide leader in emergency care access for rural communities. Under her leadership, Parkland has launched or expanded several key facilities, including a $2.3 million women’s center, a new pain management clinic, and a comprehensive medical office building with 20 physician practices and centralized outpatient services. The organization has also acquired a surgical building for ear, nose and throat, ophthalmology and orthopedic procedures, and expanded sleep disorder services to drastically cut patient wait times. Ms. Schnabel’s efforts have earned Parkland recognition from U.S. News & World Report as “high performing” in maternity care and accolades from Vizient and CMS for safety and quality.

Mary Beth Seals. President of HH Lincoln Health (Fayetteville, Tenn.). Ms. Seals manages day-to-day operations, strategic planning and new physician recruitment for HH Lincoln. She leads every aspect of the health system and oversees quality, customer service, staff satisfaction, physician alignment, community support and financial performance. She is accountable for ensuring that HH Lincoln Health fulfills its strategic role within the overall vision and strategy for the Huntsville (Ala.) Hospital Health System. Since entering her role, she has guided the system through several disasters, including broken pipes and a tornado that damaged the facility. She has also implemented programs to establish HH as a high-reliability organization.

Sonya Selhorst. President and CNO of Mercy Health–Defiance (Ohio) Hospital. With over 35 years of experience within the overarching system, Ms. Selhorst’s leadership has earned more than a dozen national recognitions for Defiance Hospital, including five-star CMS ratings, a Leapfrog “A” grade and more. She led the integration of a large multi-specialty physician group into the system and strengthened physician recruitment in the rural market through partnerships with Wright State University. Ms. Selhorst also organized suicide prevention events that raised $65,000, directly funding mental health initiatives and school-based programming. As both president and CNO, she has elevated care quality, staff engagement and operational efficiency.

Carl Selvick, PharmD. President and CEO of Black River Memorial Hospital (Black River Falls, Wis.). Mr. Selvick oversees all aspects of the hospital, outpatient services and strategic developments at Black River. He orchestrated a financial revitalization at the hospital, transitioning from a negative operating margin in 2022 to a positive operating margin in 2023, surpassing the organizational budget by 2% just 18 months after assuming the CEO role. His targeted approach focuses on the effective operational costs management, strategic planning and service line development, as well as collaborations and partnerships with local and regional healthcare providers. He has led the hospital to actively participate in initiatives such as formulating a Health Equity Plan, establishing a foundation, expanding the 340B program and transforming the Black River Healthcare Clinic into a Rural Health Clinic.

Joshua Shepherd. President at Buffalo Hospital and Cambridge Medical Center (Minneapolis). Mr. Shepherd has direct leadership and operational responsibility for both Buffalo and Cambridge hospitals. He oversees almost every aspect of the system’s performance. He manages the day-to-day operations while leading strategic development initiatives required for long-term success. He has been responsible for planning a new, innovative Cambridge Medical Center campus, working with various groups, including Allina, the city of Cambridge, staff and architects to develop long-term relationships. During his time as president, which began in 2023, the hospital has achieved positive financial performance.

Tammy Smith, MSN, RN. CEO of Pratt (Kan.) Regional Medical Center. Ms. Smith is CEO of Pratt Regional Medical Center. She previously worked as the chief nursing officer for Pratt Regional Medical Center and brings her long track record of experience to the position after serving as interim CEO. She is now heading the 35-bed facility, which is a sole community provider for the surrounding area.

Jeff Sollis. CEO of St. John’s Health (Jackson, Wyo.). St. John’s Health welcomed Mr. Sollis as its CEO in January 2023. Mr. Sollis brings 17 years of healthcare leadership experience to his role. Prior to joining St. John’s, he served as CEO for Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls.

Kevin Stansbury. CEO of Lincoln Health (Hugo, Colo.). Mr. Stansbury is the CEO of Lincoln Health, a critical access hospital and health system in Hugo, Colo. He is a dynamic leader with a knack for building a positive culture in his team. He is constantly looking to involve others around him, open up discussion, and look to improve the health care services for the eastern plains of Colorado.

Bobby Stitt. Administrator for Mercy Hospital Logan County, Kingfisher and Watonga (Okla.). Mr. Stitt serves as the hospital administrator for three of Mercy’s critical access hospitals. He leads all operational and clinical coworkers across these three hospitals, overseeing organizational structure, alignment, strategic direction, financial performance and community involvement. Mr. Stitt began his career in hospital administration in 2012, and has seen sustained successes in operations, finances, and patient satisfaction throughout his tenure.

Trena Stocker. President of Mercy Health–Marcum & Wallace Hospitals (Irvine, Ky.). In 2019, Ms. Stocker stepped into the role of president for Mercy Health–Marcum and Wallace Hospitals. Her strengths lie in planning, growth strategies, and the oversight of daily operations. In addition to her work overseeing departments like respiratory, sleep lab, speech therapy, and specialty clinic, she takes regular rotations as administrator and nursing administrator on call. During her tenure, the hospital has received several grants to improve population health, expand the quick response team, promote health equity, purchase new equipment and more. Under her leadership, the hospital received a 5-star rating from CMS for overall hospital quality in 2023. Ms. Stocker brings nearly 30 years of healthcare leadership and clinical experience to her position.

Eric Swanson. President of Adventist Health Tillamook (Ore.). Mr. Swanson, a lifelong Tillamook resident, began his career as a teenage volunteer and held 20 hospital roles leading to his current position as hospital president. He combines strategic vision with local commitment, recently overseeing a $22 million surgical expansion and leading Oregon’s largest hospital-based emergency medical services network. A certified paramedic and expert in disaster management, Mr. Swanson has guided his team through wildfires, floods and pandemics while chairing the county’s emergency management committee. Under his leadership, Adventist Health Tillamook earned national honors including recognition from Forbes, and the 2024 Reputation “800 Award” for reputation excellence. He has also championed workforce development, helping pass a $14.4 million bond for a health education facility and initiating business literacy training for department leaders.

Daryle Voss. President of Mercy Southern Oklahoma Communities. Mr. Voss oversees Mercy Hospital Ardmore (Okla.), a 190-bed hospital with more than 900 employees and annual net revenues of over $225 million. He also oversees Mercy Hospital Ada (Okla.), a 148-bed hospital with over 800 employees and annual net revenues of over $100+million. In addition, he holds regional responsibility for Mercy Hospital Healdton (Okla.) and Mercy Hospital Love County in Marietta, Okla. Under Mr. Voss’ leadership, Mercy Hospital Ardmore was named by Chartis as a “Top 100 Rural and Community Hospital” four years in a row. Mercy Ardmore and Mercy Ada both were named to the U.S. News & World Report 2024 “Maternity Care Access Hospital” list and also received recognition in 2023 as a “Top Rural Hospital” by The Leapfrog Group. In addition, Mercy Ardmore achieved a CMS 4-star rating, while Mercy Hospital Ada achieved 5-stars from CMS.

Michael Waldrum, MD. CEO of ECU Health (Greenville, N.C.). As CEO of ECU Health and dean of the university’s medical school, Dr. Waldrum oversees more than 14,000 ECU Health and Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University team members as they care for 1.4 million people across 29 counties. Dr. Waldrum has been an outspoken advocate for Medicaid expansion, appealing to elected officials and the public in support of critical funding for rural health care in the state. Dr. Waldrum is devoted to improving rural health care for eastern North Carolina and beyond.

David Walz. CEO and President of Madelia (Minn.) Health. Mr. Walz has led a financial and cultural turnaround at Madelia Health, transforming it into an award-winning, fully independent critical access hospital and healthcare system. Under his leadership, the organization achieved positive net income for the first time in years and earned multiple 2024 accolades, including Star Tribune’s “Best Workplace” and the Minnesota Hospital Association’s “Exceptional Workplace Award”. Mr. Walz has fostered a culture of transparency and trust, with a caregiver retention rate exceeding 90% and strong community volunteerism. He has strategically partnered with external high-performing organizations while controlling costs and increasing service access across the region. As founding CEO of the Headwaters High Value Network and regent for the American College of Healthcare Executives Minnesota Chapter, he leads collaborative efforts to improve rural health statewide. With a background in women’s health and kidney care programs, he brings operational expertise and mission-driven leadership to the forefront of rural hospital excellence.

Lindsay Weber. President and CEO at Avera St. Benedict Health Center (Parkston, S.D.). Ms. Weber brought 17 years of experience as a frontline, rural care RN and nurse practitioner to the CEO role, which she began in 2022. Her facility includes three rural health clinics, a critical access hospital, and a center for assisted living and long-term care. As a provider, she pioneered critical access hospital hospitalist services, a model largely unheard of in rural settings. Now, Ms. Weber guides retention and recruitment efforts, maintaining an overall 91% retention rate. Despite nationwide shortages, she helped establish psychiatry outreach and behavioral health counseling for the region. Ms. Weber helped increase clinic revenues through electronic medical records efficiency, provider education and use of practices like patient self-rooming. This year, she will earn her doctorate in nursing practice and organizational leadership.

Ken Westman. CEO of Riverwood Healthcare Center (Atkin, Minn.). Mr. Westman has more than 25 years of experience in the healthcare field, 10 of which were spent as CEO of Dillon, Mont.-based Barrett Hospital & Healthcare. Mr. Westman began his current role as CEO of the 475-person, 25-bed center Riverwood Healthcare Center in 2022.

Chris Wibbenmeyer. Administrator of Mercy Hospital Perry (Perryville, Mo.). As administrator of  Mercy Hospital Perry, Mr. Wibbenmeyer is responsible for overseeing operations of the 22-bed critical access hospital, primary care and specialty care clinics that employ the hospital’s 444 workers. He has brought stability to the organization by successfully transitioning it from a county-owned hospital to Mercy’s 17th critical access hospital. Under his leadership, Mercy Hospital Perry has experienced significant growth in inpatient, outpatient, primary care and specialty service lines, which has led to a financial turnaround of the organization, an increased CMS star rating and an increase in patient experience scores. Mercy Hospital Perry has also adopted an EHR and MyMercy+ patient portal technology, allowing for seamless data integration and greater patient access to their information and caregivers. Mr. Wibbenmeyer has been a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives since 2012 and was president of the Missouri Hospital Association’s southeast district council in 2024. He joined Mercy in 1988.

Francine Witt, DNP. President and CEO of Effingham Health System (Springfield, Ga.). Dr. Witt leads a rural critical access healthcare system comprising a 25-bed hospital, a level 4 trauma emergency department, specialty clinics including oncology, cardiology, orthopedics and pediatrics, and a skilled nursing facility. Under her leadership, patient volumes have significantly increased, highlighted by the 2025 launch of pediatric ear-nose-throat surgery and an award-winning school-based telemedicine program. Dr. Witt has transformed the health system into Georgia’s only critical access hospital offering robotic surgery, all while improving throughput in the emergency department to reduce wait times below national averages. She has secured vital funding and regional partnerships to advance health equity, maintain fiscal health, and expand infrastructure and technology. Dr. Witt is the first African American woman hospital CEO in Georgia. She also serves on multiple state and national healthcare boards and has been nationally recognized for her innovation in rural healthcare.

Jason Wren. CEO at Medical City Decatur (Texas). Mr. Wren provides leadership, strategic direction and direct administrative responsibility for all aspects of financial operations, clinical quality and patient experience for Medical City Decatur and its 150 licensed beds. He was president and CEO of the Wise System beginning in 2017, until Medical City Healthcare acquired it in December 2023. Mr. Wren played an important role in the transition, remaining onboard as Medical City Decatur CEO. Mr. Wren is also an active member in the Wise County community, serving on several committees and boards. He also serves on the board of directors for the Texas Organization of Rural and Community Hospitals.

Jeff Zewe. President and CEO of Northern Maine Medical Center (Fort Kent). As president and CEO of Northern Maine Medical Center, Mr. Zewe oversees all aspects of hospital and nursing home operations, financial health and governance. Since joining, he has led a financial turnaround that brought the organization from years of debt to breaking even, all while improving operational stability. Under his leadership, both patient satisfaction and quality metrics have significantly increased, resulting in multiple quality awards for the hospital and its skilled nursing facility. Northern Maine Medical Center was named a Newsweek “Best in State Hospital” for 2023, 2024 and 2025. Before relocating to Maine, he held leadership roles at Pittsburgh-based Allegheny Health Network.