Washington County Hospital and SSM Health in Southern Illinois have announced Brian Monsma has accepted the position of President at Washington County Hospital. Mr. Monsma’s first day in his new position will be Monday, September 17th. Monsma will be an SSM Health employee and have a dual reporting structure to the Board of Directors of Washington County Hospital and to Kerry Swanson, Regional President, SSM Health in Southern Illinois.
Monsma possesses a progressive 23-year health care executive leadership career encompassing acute care, medical group, and accountable care organization settings.
Most notably, Monsma’s background includes executive leadership positions in rural/municipal hospitals within the Mercy Medical Center (Sioux City, IA) network:
- From 2001-2005, he served as Administrator/CEO, Hawarden Community Hospital (Hawarden, IA) – a 25-bed hospital and Provider Based Rural Health Clinic.
- And since early 2018, he has served as Interim CEO, Pender Community Hospital (Pender, NE) – providing executive oversight that encompasses a critical access hospital (similar to Washington County Hospital), long term care facilities and medical clinics.
Monsma is excited to join Washington County Hospital and lead its health care mission serving the residents of Washington County. “My goal is to leverage all opportunities available to Washington County Hospital to make it stronger despite challenges we encounter as health care continually changes,” Monsma says. “Our partnership with and the support of SSM Health, and just as important, the staff and leadership of Washington County Hospital, are vital assets that bring me to Nashville to be part of this team.”
Monsma holds two graduate degrees from the University of Iowa (Iowa City, IA): a Master of Arts, Hospital and Health Administration; and a Master of Business Administration. Monsma also received a Bachelor of Arts, Business Administration, from Fort Lewis College (Durango, CO). Additionally, he holds memberships in the Medical Group Management Association and in the American College of Healthcare Executives.
Washington County Hospital and SSM Health in Southern Illinois will sponsor a “meet and greet” reception in the coming weeks giving Washington County residents an opportunity to meet Monsma.
Mr. Monsma succeeds Nancy Newby following her 21 year tenure of dedicated service to Washington County Hospital (WCH).
Newby was recruited to join Washington County Hospital as Chief Nurse Executive in 1997. Three years later, she became CEO. Newby’s leadership has been integral in ensuring that WCH’s operations remained committed to sustaining its health care mission to all residents of Washington County –including her collaborative work in building a strong relationship between WCH and SSM Health.
As planned, Nancy will be retiring after the completion of a brief transitional period with Mr. Monsma.
