A Kansan with experience managing rural hospitals in the state has been tapped to lead Allen and Anderson county hospitals.
Jeremy Armstrong has been named administrator of both Allen County Regional Hospital in Iola and Anderson County Hospital in Garnett. Both are managed by the Saint Luke’s Health System of Kansas City, Mo.
Armstrong will start Monday and will oversee day-to-day operations at both hospitals.
“We are excited to have Jeremy serve as the new administrator for our Kansas critical access hospitals,” said Steve Schieber, Saint Luke’s Critical Access Region CEO. Schieber has been serving as interim-administrator since the resignation of Elmore Patterson in June.
“He brings years of health care leadership experience, with several qualities that are particularly relevant to this role — commitment to health care in rural regions, experience within a larger health system, and previous leadership at two organizations with long-term care units offering services similar to the Residential Living Center at Anderson County Hospital.”
Armstrong most recently served as CEO of Mitchell County Hospital Health Systems in Beloit. Previous roles also include CEO of St. Luke Hospital and Living Center in Marion, and Wagner Community Memorial Hospital in Wagner, South Dakota. He also spent several years working as a cytotechnologist, a lab professional who evaluates patients’ cell samples to detect cancer or other abnormalities.
“I’m ready to hit the ground and get to work at Allen County Regional Hospital and Anderson County Hospital,” Armstrong said. “I see so many good things happening at both hospitals right now, and I’m excited to have the opportunity to build on that momentum.”
“My thanks to those who have put their trust in me. It’s such an honor to be leading two great hospitals and I look forward to our work together.”
Armstrong earned bachelor’s degrees in biology from Baker University and in cytotechnology from the University of Kansas Medical Center. He earned his Master of Health Services Administration from the University of Kansas Medical Center and is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.
Armstrong, wife Tammy, and the family look forward to relocating to the area and exploring the many outdoor and cultural amenities the communities have to offer.
