Mitchell County Hospital Health Systems Hosts Annual Meeting and Banquet
Mitchell County Hospital Health Systems hosted its Annual Meeting and Banquet on April 28th, bringing together board members, committee representatives, and community key stakeholders for an evening of reflection, recognition, and celebration.
Brent Cunningham, Chair of the Board of Trustees, opened the evening with a warm welcome, emphasizing the importance of community support and strong leadership in fulfilling the hospital’s mission. “Healthcare is never easy,” Brent stated, “but I continue to be impressed with Janelle and our leadership team for how well they adapt and position our hospital to not only handle the challenges, but to grow our service lines and offer more to our region. We’ve got a lot of good things happening and I’m excited for our future.”
Janelle Kircher, Chief Executive Officer, expressed appreciation to numerous key partners and committees for their relentless support, including the Medical Staff, the Mitchell County Regional Medical Foundation, the Mitchell County Hospital Endowment, the Auxiliary, the Finance Committee, the Patient and Family Advisory Council, and the Board of Trustees. Current board members include Brent Cunningham, Chair; Chris Mondero, Vice Chair; Brad Eilert, Treasurer; Jerica King, Secretary; and members Jim Johnson, Christine Marozas, and Braden Hake.
The evening featured a presentation from hospital leadership: Janelle Kircher, Chief Executive Officer; Stephanie Simmons, Chief Operating Officer; Nicki Cleveland, Chief Nursing Officer; Darren True, Chief Ancillary Officer; and Luigi Gavino, Chief Financial Officer. The team reviewed highlights from the annual report, showcasing major achievements, ongoing facility improvements, exceptional patient care, community involvement, and financial performance. They also outlined strategic priorities aimed at expanding and enhancing healthcare services across the region.
Special guest speakers reinforced the event's theme of commitment to rural healthcare excellence. Beloit High School senior, Allison Leiva, shared insights from her shadowing experience at MCHHS. “The hours didn’t just teach me about procedures and policies—they taught me about teamwork and trust,” she said. “They helped shape the kind of student and professional I want to become. Thank you to everyone who welcomed me into their daily lives.”
Also presenting as special speakers of the evening, Dr. Owens and Dr. Banker provided updates on the hospital’s newly implemented robotic surgical system—an important technological advancement for MCHHS. Dr. Banker expressed excitement about the program’s immediate success, stating, “Because of the support from the executive team, board, and surgical team, with the implementation of robotics, we are offering more services to our patients than ever before.” Dr. Owens added, “It’s incredible to be a part of a facility that now stands among only three critical access hospitals in the state offering robotic surgery. That’s a testament to the vision of our leadership and board.”
To close the evening, Janelle Kircher reflected on MCHHS’s progress and future, stating, “It warms my heart to stand here surrounded by such dedicated individuals that have made dreams turn into reality. We’ve already accomplished so much and there’s so much more to come in the year ahead. Thank you all for being a part of this journey.”