Wabash General Hospital CEO Karissa Turner Named President of ICAHN Board

ICAHN Board of Directors President Karissa Turner

Karissa Turner, CEO, Wabash General Hospital, Mt. Carmel, has been named President of the Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network (ICAHN) Board of Directors during its 2023 annual conference. In her new role, she will support the organization and its mission to strengthen and provide assistance and resources to its 59-member rural hospitals.

“As an up-and-coming young star, Karissa brings palpable energy, insight, and expertise to our Board of Directors and to all the goals of the organization which will be set in the new year,” said Pat Schou, ICAHN Executive Director. “We are excited to have her serve our Board in this executive leadership role.”

As a Mt. Carmel native, Karissa has served Wabash General Hospital for 15 years, beginning her tenure as a Practice Manager in 2005. She has held various leadership roles throughout WGH, including Director of Physician Services, Vice President of Hospital Operations, and Executive Vice President of Hospital Operations/Chief Operating Officer. Karissa is actively involved in the Mt. Carmel Rotary Club and is a board member for the Mt. Carmel Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities group.

Karissa was recognized as one of ICAHN’s 2019 “4 Under 40” winners, celebrating new and emerging leaders aged 40 and under, with a strong record of innovation and outstanding performance, and she has been a member of ICAHN’s Recruitment and Retention Committee and the Rural Health Fellowship Committee. In 2022, under Ms. Turner’s leadership, Wabash General Hospital was recognized for being among the top 10% of all critical access hospitals in the country, gaining the title of a high-achieving HCAHPs hospital.

ICAHN hospitals serve as the primary and emergency provider for 1.4 million rural residents across the state of Illinois. ICAHN is dedicated to supporting critical access hospitals throughout Illinois and is committed to ensuring that rural communities have access to high-quality healthcare services. Through advocacy, education, and collaboration, ICAHN has made a significant impact on the healthcare landscape throughout the state.

Located in Princeton, IL, ICAHN is a network of 59 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.