Karissa Turner named President-Elect of state hospital network

MT. CARMEL – Karissa Turner, President & CEO of Wabash General Hospital, Mt. Carmel, was named President-Elect of the Board of Directors of the Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network (ICAHN) during its annual conference. In her new role, Ms. Turner will support the organization and its mission to strengthen and provide assistance and resources to its 58-member rural hospitals.

“As an up-and-coming young star, Karissa brings palpable energy, insight, and expertise to our Board of Directors and to all the goals of the organization which will be set in the new year,” said Pat Schou, ICAHN Executive Director. “We are excited to have her serve our Board in this executive leadership role.”

As a Mt. Carmel native, Karissa has served Wabash General Hospital for 18 years, beginning her tenure as a Practice Manager in 2005. She has held various leadership roles throughout WGH, including Director of Physician Services, Vice President of Hospital Operations, and Executive Vice President of Hospital Operations/Chief Operating Officer. Karissa is actively involved in the Mt. Carmel Rotary Club and is a board member for the Mt. Carmel Area Economic Alliance and the Mt. Carmel Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities group.

Karissa was also named ICAHN’s 2019 “4 Under 40” winner, celebrating new and emerging leaders aged 40 and under with a strong record of innovation and outstanding performance, and she has been a member of ICAHN’s Recruitment and Retention Committee and the Rural Health Fellowship Committee. In 2022, under Ms. Turner’s leadership, Wabash General Hospital was recognized for being among the top 10% of all critical access hospitals in the country, gaining the title of a high-achieving HCAHPs hospital. Wabash General Hospital also received the following awards this past year: Top 100 Critical Access Hospital, Best Place to Work in Illinois, 2022 Excellence in Patient Experience Award, and 2022-2023 High Performing Hospital for Hip Fractures from U.S. News & World Report.

ABOUT ICAHN

ICAHN hospitals serve as the primary and emergency provider for 1.4 million rural residents across the state of Illinois. Located in Princeton, IL, ICAHN is a network of 58 small, rural hospitals dedicated to strengthening the operations of its member hospitals through collaboration. The organization is composed of Illinois hospitals who have earned critical access hospital designation by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services and is recognized nationally for its work with rural healthcare, administering several state, federal, and private healthcare programs.