After a nationwide search, the Great Plains Health board of directors is proud to announce that Ivan Mitchell has accepted the role of chief executive officer at GPHealth. Mitchell, who according to a press release from Great Plains Health; is currently the chief operating officer at GPHealth, is set to assume the role on Jan. 1, 2022. Consulting firm Community Hospital Corporation (CHC) conducted the nationwide search and reviewed over 100 candidates. At the end of the search, Mitchell was the clear choice among the board of directors, medical staff and senior leadership.
Mel McNea, retiring chief executive officer of GPHealth, says, “I am excited for Ivan and this next chapter for the hospital. I have the highest confidence in Ivan and his ability to continue to move this organization in the right direction. We have worked hard to build a thriving culture and I know Ivan will do nothing but the best as the leader of GPHealth.” “I have had the privilege and honor of being on the leadership team at GPHealth over the last six years. During that tenure, GPHealth has reached many milestones, including recognition as a top rural hospital by the Leapfrog Group, and I am proud to have played an active role in those accomplishments. I look forward to serving in this new role and will work diligently to continue bringing outstanding health care to this region,” Mitchell said.
Mitchell has over fifteen years of experience in the healthcare industry serving in various capacities, including previous experience as a CEO. He worked for over two years as CEO at Towner County Medical Center in Cando, North Dakota.
Dr. Ned Mack, chair of the board of directors, says, “Great Plains Health is moving in the right direction. During the CEO search, the board wanted to ensure that GPHealth’s next leader would continue to build on the solid foundation laid by Mel. Ivan is passionate for independent healthcare and cares deeply for this organization. His experience in the industry and understanding of the culture here are an asset for all of us at GPHealth.”
McNea adds, “Ivan is a focused and engaged leader. I am confident that he will further
move this organization to new heights because of his ability to build relationships and
lead with transparency. He has proven over the last six years that he is a thoughtful
decision maker with a strategic long-term vision. Great Plains Health is in good hands.”
Mitchell is available for media interviews throughout the day on Oct. 29 to discuss his
priorities as he assumes the CEO role. Please contact Mary Roberts, marketing
manager, to schedule an interview. Contact information is listed at the top of this
release.
About Great Plains Health
Based in North Platte, Nebraska, Great Plains Health is a fully accredited, 116-bed
acute-care regional medical center serving western and central Nebraska, northern
Kansas and southern South Dakota. With 90 physicians representing nearly 30 medical
specialties, the Great Plains Health system offers advanced health care, including heart
and vascular, cancer, and orthopedic surgery services. Great Plains Health is a Level III
trauma center, and all of its emergency department physicians are residency-trained
and board-certified in emergency medicine. The system employs approximately 1,093
employees and serves a geographic area spanning approximately 16,000 square miles.
The hospital is accredited by the Joint Commission and is home to an American College
of Surgeons-accredited cancer center and Level II bariatric surgery program. For more
information, visit gphealth.org.
