News and Announcements

The Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network (ICAHN) is proud to announce that five leaders from the organization’s 60 member hospitals have been named to Becker’s Hospital Review’s “Rural Hospital and Health System Presidents and CEOs to Know” list.

In its introduction to the list, the publication said:

“For millions of patients throughout the U.S., rural hospitals serve as the only feasible care option in their area. The CEOs who run these institutions understand that access to quality healthcare services in rural communities can make all the difference in both outcomes and overall patient experiences.

“The leaders featured here are simultaneously chief executive, community anchor, workforce developer and crisis manager. They are charged with navigating razor-thin margins, persistent staffing shortages and the longstanding impact of the pandemic, all while actively driving growth, expanding services, modernizing facilities and cultivating skilled teams.”

Teresa Cornelius, DNP, RN, chief administrative officer of HSHS Holy Family Hospital (Greenville, Ill.) and ICAHN member hospital HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital Highland (Highland, Ill.). Dr. Cornelius oversees both HSHS Holy Family Hospital, a 28-bed rural hospital, and HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital Highland, a 25-bed critical access hospital. She brings nearly 20 years of progressive leadership experience at HSHS to her role as chief administrative officer.

Dr. Cornelius began her career at HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital Highland in 2006 as a registered nurse and advanced through charge nurse, nurse manager, director, COO and CNO roles before serving as interim CEO prior to her appointment to her current role in June 2024.

She is particularly passionate about substance use disorder recovery, donating her time to organizations including the Partnership for Drug-Free Communities, the Metro East Recovery Council and the Bond County Recovery Council. She also supports Overdose Awareness Days and safe drug disposal programs at both hospitals.

Under her leadership, HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital Highland earned the 2023 Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network “Community Project Award” for its work reducing overdoses and expanding resources for those struggling with substance use disorder.

The hospital has also received CMS 5-star ratings for nurse communication, cleanliness and low catheter-associated urinary tract infection rates. Dr. Cornelius also led HSHS Holy Family Hospital through a reimagining of its inpatient floors and supported the hospital’s achievement of Joint Commission accreditation in 2023.

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Randall Dauby, CEO of Pinckneyville (Ill.) Community Hospital District. Mr. Dauby leads a $36 million healthcare organization consisting of a critical access hospital, rural health clinic, senior life behavioral program and a rehabilitation and fitness center.

He has served in rural healthcare leadership throughout his entire career and understands the fragile environment of rural health. He is constantly advocating for the needs of rural healthcare providers near and far. He has been essential to growing services at Pinckneyville Community Hospital and oversaw a $12 million expansion project there.

 

 

 

 

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William Davis, regional president for Deaconess Illinois and chief executive officer of Deaconess Illinois Crossroads Community Hospital, Mount Vernon. Mr. Davis serves as Illinois region president for Deaconess, overseeing strategic and operational functions.

He has implemented systemwide “unreasonable hospitality” initiatives to elevate patient experience and oversaw the go-live of critical IT systems including Epic EHR and Pyxis, significantly enhancing clinical operations.

He has expanded service lines, most notably by introducing dialysis and preparing a neuro unit launch, while also modernizing equipment across multiple sites ranging from imaging tools in cath labs to surgical video towers and chemistry analyzers.

Mr. Davis’ influence extends beyond hospital walls through his active civic engagement, including board roles with the Illinois Hospital Association, American Red Cross of Illinois and more. Recognized for his contributions, he recently received the “President’s Award” from Rend Lake College Foundation and helped secure a 4-star patient survey rating from CMS at Deaconess Illinois Crossroads.

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Chris Klay, Southern Illinois Market CEO and President and CEO of HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital (O’Fallon, Ill.). Mr. Klay oversees four hospitals across the HSHS Southern Illinois market, including three rural facilities, while also serving as CEO of HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, a 144-bed regional medical center in O’Fallon, Ill.

A physical therapist by training, Mr. Klay brings clinical insight to executive decision-making and has spent his entire career with HSHS since 2009, advancing from director of rehabilitation services to market-level leadership. In fall 2025, he announced $116 million in growth projects for the St. Elizabeth’s campus, expanding the emergency department, increasing inpatient nursing capacity, adding an outpatient surgery center and advanced imaging options to serve a rapidly growing community.

Under his leadership, HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital in Breese, Ill. was named a Chartis “Top 100 Rural and Community Hospital” and a “Top 20 Rural and Community Hospital” by the National Rural Health Association in 2025, while multiple Southern Illinois market hospitals earned CMS five-star ratings for quietness, nurse communication and low catheter-associated urinary tract infection rates. Mr. Klay is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and previously served as president and CEO of HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital and St. Joseph’s Hospital in Highland, Ill.

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Ted Rogalski, administrator for MercyOne Genesis Aledo (Ill.) and MercyOne Genesis DeWitt (Iowa) Medical Center. Mr. Rogalski oversees a combined $60 million in revenue and 350 employees across two critical access hospitals, three rural health clinics and two retail pharmacies.

Under his leadership, DeWitt Medical Center expanded outpatient services such as physical therapy, infusion and cardiac rehab, resulting in more than 30 percent growth in each area and a $16 million year-over-year revenue increase. He also led the conversion of family practice groups into rural health clinics and acquired a local pharmacy to integrate into the hospital system.

Under his leadership, both hospitals have recently expanded mental health services for older adults via a “Senior Life Solutions” program that aims to improve senior mental health with evidence- and outcomes-based treatment.

Mr. Rogalski is a former chair of both the Illinois Hospital Association and ICAHN, where he wielded statewide influence in rural healthcare policy.

 

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See the complete list at Becker’s Hospital Review.