New chief named for DeKalb Community Hospital, Stones River Hospital

Susan (Sue) Conley has been named Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for DeKalb Community Hospital (DCH) and Stones River Hospital (SRH) by the Upper Healthcare (UCHI) Board and Capella Healthcare in consultation with the hospital's Board of Trustees. She begins the new position on Monday, Oct. 1.

"With over 20 years of experience in a variety of healthcare leadership roles, Sue brings outstanding qualifications to this role,"

Cumberland Initiatives said Mark President of Operations for Capella.

"With the opportunities ahead of us I, along with the board members, believe Sue is the right leader to help these hospitals reach their fullest potential. We all have great confidence in Sue's ability to work with all of the hospitals' constituents to lead both organizations through the transitional years ahead."

Conley comes to DCH and SRH from Van Buren, AR, where she has been serving as CEO of Summit Medical Center, a 103-bed acute medical/surgical hospital. Prior to this, she served as CEO at Mesa Vista Regional Hospital in Mesquite, NV; and as COO at a number of hospitals including 492-bed Sparks Health System in Fort Smith, AR; Medical Center of South Arkansas in El Dorado, AR; and Brownwood Regional Hospital in Brownwood, TX. She also served as an Assistant Administrator and Laboratory Supervisor after beginning her healthcare career as a Medical Technologist.

Conley earned a B.S. degree in biology (cum laude) from Hardin Simmons University, Abilene, TX; and a Master's Degree in Healthcare Administration from Trinity University, San Antonio, TX. She has earned Fellowship status in the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE).

Conley will be moving to the area in the next month with her husband Allen. She has two grown children, a daughter JoBeth who lives in Sacramento, California, and a son Michael who lives in London, England. She has two grandchildren.

About DeKalb Community and Stones River Hospitals

DCH and SRH are a part of the Capella-Saint Thomas system of hospitals, a joint venture between Capella Healthcare and Saint Thomas Health, along with sister hospitals Highlands Medical Center in Sparta and River Park Hospital in McMinnville. There are approximately 80 physicians on the combined medical staffs, representing nearly every medical specialty. Both are accredited by The Joint Commission. Established in 1969, DCH is a 71-bed hospital located in Smithville. The hospital offers 24-hour emergency services and comprehensive diagnostic, medical, surgical and rehabilitative services. The hospital has enjoyed a long history of medical excellence having been named one of the 100 Top Hospitals in America by Thomson Reuters (formerly Solucient) for five years.