Kearney Regional picks South Dakota native as new CEO

KEARNEY, Neb. — A South Dakota native with decades of experience in hospital leadership will be the new CEO at Kearney Regional Medical Center.

The hospital announced on Thursday that it selected Douglas Koch, MHA, for the role. He takes over on Aug. 5.

According to a news release, Koch held clinical and leadership positions at Avera Health and Sanford Health in South Dakota from 1993-2001. He held executive positions at Aurora Healthcare in Wisconsin and Illinois from 2001-2018. He moved to Rapid City, S.D., in 2018 and spent three years as vice president of operations for Monument Health. Most recently, Koch was CEO for Governor Juan F. Luis Hospital and Medical Center in St Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands.

“Doug’s midwestern roots, education and vast operational experience are an ideal fit to join the Bryan Health administrative leadership team and lead KRMC as it enters its second decade of operation,” said John Woodrich, Bryan Health executive vice president and chief operating officer.

Part of Koch’s responsibilities will include leading construction of the Kearney Cancer Center and leading expansion of Kearney Regional’s inpatient facilities.

Hospital leaders selected him from a national search.

“He values and will prioritize relationships with area physicians, committed trustees and most of all a great team. His eagerness to integrate into the Kearney community distinguished him as the right choice,” said Scott Smith, MD, KRMC chief medical officer.