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Whitson Honored for Exemplary Leadership
November 25, 2020

HOPEDALE, IL – The Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network (ICAHN) announced its “4 Under 40” Hospital Leadership winners including Emily Whitson, Chief Operating Officer, Hopedale Medical Complex, during its Annual Conference and Awards Ceremony, held November 17th via Zoom. 

Ms. Whitson is joined by Victoria Woodrow, CEO, Hamilton Memorial Hospital, McLeansboro; Blake Thornton, Director of Quality and Risk Management, Pinckneyville Community Hospital; and Chris Troxell, ED/EMS Director, Safety Officer, and Emergency Preparedness Coordinator, Mason District Hospital, Havana.

“Emily provides a level of dedication and commitment not easily found in other COO roles. She makes herself accessible every day to all staff, before sunrise until well into the evening,” said Joanna Mingus, Lead Physical Therapist, Hopedale Medical Complex. “She has also maintained a positive, strong, and reassuring ‘voice,’ making challenging decisions and dedicating herself to providing constant support to everyone throughout the complex.

“Emily excels in management and development of clinical performance at all levels,” she continued. “Her direction during this pandemic has been demonstrated by her ability to look outside of the box when it comes to addressing problems and having the foresight to develop initiatives for staff and patient safety.”

Ms. Whitson began her career at Hopedale Medical Complex in 2005 as a staff Certified Athletic Trainer, initiating a grassroots effort to provide athletic training outreach services to rural schools in the communities surrounding Hopedale. From that inaugural year, she has continued to lead and foster further growth with the Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine staff, serving as its Director for eight years. She was appointed to Vice President of Clinical Operations for four years, and in November of 2019, she was appointed to Chief Operating Officer for Hopedale Medical Complex by the Governing Board. 

The “4 Under 40” Hospital Leadership Award is open to new and emerging leaders age 40 and under employed by an ICAHN member hospital or as a member of this hospital’s board for at least two years with a strong record of innovation and outstanding performance.

Located in Princeton, IL, ICAHN is a network of 57 small, rural hospitals dedicated to strengthening the operations of its member hospitals through collaboration. The organization is composed of Illinois hospitals who have earned critical access hospital designation by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services and is recognized nationally for its work with rural healthcare, administering several state, federal, and private healthcare programs.

Emily Whitson honored for exemplary leadership at Hopedale Medical Complex 

HOPEDALE, IL – The Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network (ICAHN) announced its “4 Under 40” Hospital Leadership winners including Emily Whitson, Chief Operating Officer, Hopedale Medical Complex, during its Annual Conference and Awards Ceremony, held November 17th via Zoom. 

Ms. Whitson is joined by Victoria Woodrow, CEO, Hamilton Memorial Hospital, McLeansboro; Blake Thornton, Director of Quality and Risk Management, Pinckneyville Community Hospital; and Chris Troxell, ED/EMS Director, Safety Officer, and Emergency Preparedness Coordinator, Mason District Hospital, Havana.

“Emily provides a level of dedication and commitment not easily found in other COO roles. She makes herself accessible every day to all staff, before sunrise until well into the evening,” said Joanna Mingus, Lead Physical Therapist, Hopedale Medical Complex. “She has also maintained a positive, strong, and reassuring ‘voice,’ making challenging decisions and dedicating herself to providing constant support to everyone throughout the complex.

“Emily excels in management and development of clinical performance at all levels,” she continued. “Her direction during this pandemic has been demonstrated by her ability to look outside of the box when it comes to addressing problems and having the foresight to develop initiatives for staff and patient safety.”

Ms. Whitson began her career at Hopedale Medical Complex in 2005 as a staff Certified Athletic Trainer, initiating a grassroots effort to provide athletic training outreach services to rural schools in the communities surrounding Hopedale. From that inaugural year, she has continued to lead and foster further growth with the Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine staff, serving as its Director for eight years. She was appointed to Vice President of Clinical Operations for four years, and in November of 2019, she was appointed to Chief Operating Officer for Hopedale Medical Complex by the Governing Board. 

The “4 Under 40” Hospital Leadership Award is open to new and emerging leaders age 40 and under employed by an ICAHN member hospital or as a member of this hospital’s board for at least two years with a strong record of innovation and outstanding performance.

Located in Princeton, IL, ICAHN is a network of 57 small, rural hospitals dedicated to strengthening the operations of its member hospitals through collaboration. The organization is composed of Illinois hospitals who have earned critical access hospital designation by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services and is recognized nationally for its work with rural healthcare, administering several state, federal, and private healthcare programs.