Bryan Health CEO announces retirement; successor chosen

Kim Russel, President and CEO of Bryan Health, has announced her retirement effective January 3, 2020. 

Russel served as Bryan Health’s CEO and Bryan Medical Center’s CEO since March 2008.

Since 2009 Russel and her team led efforts to construct new facilities for the Bryan Independence Center and Mental Health Counseling Center on the Bryan West Campus.

On the Bryan East Campus notable expansion has included a renovated and expanded Emergency Department, the 5055 Building, and is currently in the midst of a three-year project to transform surgical services and enhance visitor and patient common spaces.

A conversion to all single occupancy rooms was completed on both campuses. 

Additionally, during this time Bryan Health conducted its largest private fundraising effort in its history, exceeding its 2020 $40 million  goal 18 months early; acquired Merrick Medical Center; implemented a new Electronic Health Record system; enrollment has eclipsed 725 students at the Bryan College of Health Sciences; expanded the Bryan Physician Network; built a statewide telemedicine network; expanded to over 5,000 employees; annually treats 150,000 unique patients; and provides more than $13 million annually in charity care to more than 11,000 patients, according to a press release. 

Bryan Health Chief Financial Officer Russ Gronewold will succeed Russel, and Bryan Medical Center President and COO John Woodrich will become Executive Vice President of Bryan Health and President and CEO of Bryan Medical Center. 

Gronewold, a native of Adams, Nebraska, has served as Bryan Health’s CFO since December 29, 2009. Woodrich, a native of Omaha, Nebraska, has served as Bryan Medical Center’s President and COO since December 1, 2009.