Koch named Chief Executive Officer at Kearney Regional Medical Center

Douglas Koch

Douglas Koch, MHA, has been named chief executive officer at Kearney Regional Medical Center (KRMC) and will assume these responsibilities August 5, 2024.

Koch began his career in health care after earning a degree in radiologic technology at

Queen of Peace Hospital School of Radiologic Technology and an associate degree in nursing from Dakota Wesleyan University, both in Mitchell, South Dakota. He received his Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management from Colorado Technical University, Colorado Springs, Colorado and his Master of Healthcare Administration from Ohio University, Athens, Ohio. 

“Doug’s midwestern roots, education and vast operational experience are an ideal fit to join the Bryan Health administrative leadership team and lead KRMC as it enters its second decade of operation,” said John Woodrich, Bryan Health executive vice president and chief operating officer.

From 1993 to 2001 the South Dakota native held clinical and leadership positions at Avera Health and Sanford Health in South Dakota. From 2001 to 2018 he held executive positions at Aurora Healthcare, an integrated nonprofit healthcare system in eastern Wisconsin and northern Illinois, with 17 hospitals, more than 150 clinics, and 70 pharmacies in 30 communities. In 2018 he returned to Rapid City, South Dakota, and served for three years as vice president of operations for Monument Health. Since then, he has served as chief executive officer for Governor Juan F. Luis Hospital and Medical Center in St Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands.

Through these various roles of clinical and operational responsibility, Koch has led over $1 billion in health care and construction projects. He is ideally suited to lead KRMC as it embarks on construction of the Kearney Cancer Center and its expanded inpatient facilities. Bryan Health and KRMC will benefit from his proven success at both physician-led hospitals and integrated health systems.

“Doug is someone who likes to see communities thrive,” Woodrich said. “He will be an outstanding leader for Kearney Regional Medical Center and will help Bryan Health bring the most benefit to central Nebraska and the Kearney community.”

During the extensive national search, leaders from KRMC and Bryan Health said Doug clearly emerged as the ideal candidate to lead Kearney Regional Medical Center.

“He values and will prioritize relationships with area physicians, committed trustees and most of all a great team. His eagerness to integrate into the Kearney community distinguished him as the right choice,” said Scott Smith, MD, KRMC chief