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GMH begins search for leadership, welcomes interim CEO

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Pictured with the new interim CEO, from left, are GMH team members Chelsea Greene, Director of Human Resources; Sandy Ashline, Administrative Assistant; Jill DeMoss, Finance Manager; Kelly Dybvig, Interim CEO; and Deb Preston, Operating Room Manager. (Press photo by Molly Moser)

By Molly Moser

After 17 years with Guttenberg Municipal Hospital, CEO Kim Gau submitted her resignation to the board in December. This month the hospital board plans to appoint a CEO search committee, which will include both GMH Trustees and Mercy Health Network (MHN) Executives. 

“The position has already been posted and we have already received applicants. First round interviews will likely occur in late February with final round interviews in early March. We hope to have the new CEO on-site by July 1, 2018,” said GMH board president Bill Allyn. 

In the meantime, the CEO position has been temporarily filled by Kelly Dybvig, a Cedar Falls native with a bachelor’s degree and double major in Psychology and Communications, and a Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership from St. Ambrose University.

“I have always enjoyed working in the healthcare field because I know the work we do helps communities to stay well, heal, and experience healthier lifestyles,” said Dybvig. She currently serves as the MHN's affiliate hospitals clinic operations leader and has had broad experience in health- care throughout her career.

Dybvig currently lives in Cedar Rapids with her husband and three children, and recalls visits to her grandparents in nearby Cascade during her youth. 

“Our MHN team made multiple visits to Guttenberg over the course of our discovery process. I quickly discovered that the people at GMH are dedicated to serving the sick and promoting the health of the community,” said Dybvig. “I was thrilled to be appointed by the board to serve as the interim CEO and provide GMH the opportunity to do a full and thorough search for the permanent CEO.”

According to Allyn, the transition from affiliation UnityPoint Health – Finley to affiliation with MHN has been a smooth one. “There was a lot of excitement about Mercy Health Network within the hospital and so far the MHN team has exceeded our expectations.  The initial term of our management agreement with Mercy Health Network goes through December 2019, and there will be continuous integration and support work occurring throughout that period,” he told The Press. 

Highlights of that transition include the addition of a surgeon, Dr. Tamara Holzer, and the awarding of recognitions such as Patient Centered Medical Home Level 3 Certification, the highest award possible, and ACHC Accreditation for the GMH sleep study program. GMH clinics will soon offer urgent care appointments, which will mean extended hours for patients and increased access to medical care.

“All are indications of the high quality healthcare that is provided by Guttenberg Municipal Hospitals and Clinics,” said Dybvig of the awards and enhancements.

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