Chelsie Falk of Sanford Wheaton Named 2024 Top Community Hospital CEO

Chelsie Falk

Becker’s Hospital Review has named Sanford Wheaton’s Chelsie Falk to the 2024 edition of its “160 community hospital CEOs to know.”

This list honors community hospital chief executive officers dedicated to delivering high-quality, affordable care within their communities. The Becker’s Hospital Review editorial team accepted nominations for this list and curated it to highlight the exceptional work of chief executive officers from community hospitals across the nation.

Falk serves as the chief executive officer at Sanford Wheaton Medical Center, a community hospital serving 1,400 residents and locals from surrounding rural areas. She brings a wealth of frontline health care experience to her leadership role, thanks to her background in nursing. She remains actively involved in patient care, frequently assisting with trauma codes and picking up shifts as an EMT with the Sanford Wheaton Ambulance team. Her hands-on approach ensures she stays connected to the challenges and needs of both patients and staff.

A second-generation health care worker, Falk is highly decorated with numerous awards and honors. She also co-leads a community food program, demonstrating her commitment to addressing broader social determinants of health.

“Being a leader means ensuring that my team has the support and resources they need to provide the highest quality care,” said Falk. “It’s about creating a positive, collaborative environment where everyone can excel and our patients receive the best possible care, so this recognition not only reflects my efforts, but the collective dedication and hard work of our entire team.”

The full list of individual profiles for all chief executive officer honorees can be found here.