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23 EXECUTIVE BRIEFING 2 SPONSORED BY 80 rural hospital CEOs to know | 2023 Rural hospitals are critical to the success of the U.S. health care system to expand access to care in remote areas. CEOs at the helm of these important community institutions have many responsibilities to make sure their hospitals thrive. The executives featured on this list have taken steps toward ensuring their communities have access to improved health care services. While rural hospitals across the country have faced closure in recent years, these leaders have developed a model for not only surviving, but thriving. Note: This list was developed by Becker's Healthcare to highlight top executives from rural hospitals across the U.S. Contact Brendan Talian at btalian@beckershealthcare.com with questions or comments. Click here to view nomination forms for future lists. These selections do not necessarily reflect American Heart Association policy or position. 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, and 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. Austin Gillard. CEO of Clay County Medical Center (Kan). Since 2015, Mr. Gillard has led the medical center that 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 Medical Facilities in Nebraska. 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. The hospital operates medical clinics in five communities. Brent Schmidt. Administrator and CEO 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 and 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. Brett Altman. CEO of Cass Health (Atlantic, Iowa). Mr. Altman has been with Cass Health since January 2017. He oversees operations throughout the system's multifaceted facilities. He was also a member of the U.S. medical delegation at the 2003 Pan American Games in the Dominican Republic and the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. Brian Harvill. President of Vidant Bertie Hospital (Windsor, N.C.). Mr. Harvill has served for more than 10 years in executive positions with Vidant, including the past three as president of the health system's Chowan and Bertie hospitals, where he oversees healthcare efforts serving nearly 40,000 people. He has an illustrious career in healthcare spanning nearly 28 years. Brooke Kensinger. CEO of MercyOne Elkader (Iowa) Medical Center. Ms. Kensinger's steadfast dedication and unwavering commitment to healthcare during her time leading MercyOne Elkader Medical Center earned her the Iowa Hospital Association's 2021 Young Executive Achievement Award. She has led the 25-bed critical access hospital for more than five years. Bryan Breitling. Administrator of Avera Hand County Memorial Hospital (Miller, S.D.). Mr. Breitling has shown impeccable leadership throughout Avera Hand County Memorial Hospital. The hospital has 25 staffed beds and newly renovated same-day surgery and recovery rooms. Burke Kline. CEO of Jefferson Community Health and Life (Fairbury, Neb.). Mr. Kline has served as the CEO of Jefferson Community Health and Life since June 2020, and in his tenure, he has guided the hospital through adding services including neurosurgery, vascular surgery and genetic testing. He was awarded the Medical Group Management Association's Extraordinary Leader Award in 2021 and the American College of Healthcare Executives Nebraska and Western Iowa Regent's Award in 2020. Candy Powell. Administrator of Collingsworth General Hospital (Wellington, Texas). Ms. Powell was named administrator 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 Collingsworth General. Carlos Milanes. CEO of Edgefield (S.C.) County Healthcare. Mr. Milanes has been in charge of the 25-bed hospital since 2016. The hospital has a total of 193 employees. Before joining Edgefield County Healthcare, he served as CEO of Aiken (S.C.) Regional Medical Centers.