Karissa Turner Elected to Illinois Health and Hospital Association Board

Karissa Turner, President & CEO, Wabash General Hospital in Mt. Carmel, has been elected to the Board of Trustees for the Illinois Health and Hospital Association (IHA). The IHA Board is the policymaking body for the Association, which represents more than 200 hospitals and nearly 40 health systems across Illinois. Turner’s three-year term began on Jan. 1, 2024. The first board meeting of the year was held on Jan. 26.

“It is an honor to welcome Karissa and her wealth of knowledge to the IHA Board,” said A.J. Wilhelmi, IHA President and CEO. “Karissa’s strong leadership skills and rural healthcare perspective will be a great asset as we work together to guide rural healthcare policy in the coming year.”

As a Mt. Carmel native, Karissa has served Wabash General Hospital (WGH) since 2005, beginning her tenure as a Practice Manager. 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 completed her Associate in Science and Arts from Wabash Valley College in 2003, before completing her Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Professional Services in 2005 from the University of Southern Indiana and her Master of Business Administration from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale in 2014.

She is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and currently serving as the President of Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network (ICAHN). Karissa is actively involved in the Mt. Carmel Rotary Club, IHA Small & Rural Steering Committee, and is a board member of Mt. Carmel Area Economic Alliance and Mt. Carmel Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities.

Karissa stated, “I look forward to serving the Illinois Hospital Association. I hope my experiences at Wabash General Hospital can bring a valuable perspective to leadership within our state organizations.”

About IHA

The Illinois Health and Hospital Association, with offices in Chicago, Naperville, Springfield, and Washington, D.C., advocates for Illinois’ more than 200 hospitals and nearly 40 health systems as they serve their patients and communities. IHA members provide a broad range of services—not just within their walls, but across the continuum of healthcare and in their communities. Reflecting the diversity of the state, IHA members consist of nonprofit, investor-owned and public hospitals in the following categories: community, safety net, rural, critical access, specialty, and teaching hospitals, including academic medical centers. For more information, see www.team-iha.org. Like IHA on Facebook. Follow IHA on X (formally known as Twitter).