CEO shake-up at med center

Staff report

The Greene County Medical Center on June 11 announced the appointment of Brian Benson as interim CEO, effective June 15.

A national search for a new, permanent CEO is underway by the medical center board of trustees with the assistance of UnityPoint Health-Des Moines, according to a press release.

Benson began his career as a pharmacist in 1996, and began his employment with UnityPoint Health–Des Moines in 2001.

“Change is never easy, especially during these unprecedented times,” Jim Schleisman, Greene County Medical Center board chair, said in a statement. “We are confident Greene County Medical Center will continue delivering the best possible care to our patients and their families during this transition and well into the future.”

Absent from the press release was any mention of Tracy Warner, who was named CEO at the medical center last June amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Reports that she was ousted couldn’t be verified. Schleisman earlier declined to comment.

Before receiving the job full-time, Warner had been interim CEO following the resignation of Carl Behne after eight years at the helm.

Benson will split his duties in Greene County with his current responsibilities at UnityPoint Health-Des Moines, the release stated. Teresa Newman, director of rural health resources for UnityPoint Health, will also continue to provide support.