OSF Healthcare Names New President for St. Mary Medical Center
OSF HealthCare St. Mary Medical Center has named Lisa DeKezel, MJ, BSN, RN as its next president.
DeKezel (pronounced dee-KEY-ZUHL) will be responsible for directing all internal operations and she’ll coordinate short-term tactics within long-term strategies to ensure access to affordable, high quality health care for communities served by OSF St. Mary Medical Center in Galesburg.
DeKezel lives with her husband in Cambridge, Illinois just 30 miles from Galesburg and she’s very familiar with the community as well as rural health care. She will assume the role as president November 18. Previously, DeKezel served as vice president of Physician and Outpatient Services and as compliance officer at Hammond-Henry Hospital in Geneseo, Illinois. She has been responsible for providing direct leadership over the organizations’ family practice and rural health clinics, as well as the regional expansion of physician clinics.
Western Region CEO Roxanna Crosser said, “We are excited and confident in DeKezel and her ability to advance the great work of OSF St. Mary’s previous President Jennifer Junis, who is now senior vice president for OSF Saint Gabriel Digital Health overseeing strategy and operations for virtual, on demand and retail services.
Crosser added, “With DeKezel’s experience in recruiting new physicians and managing several clinics, she’ll help us continue to meet health care needs and exceed expectations despite the unique challenges of providing quality, patient-centered care in a rural community.”
“I am excited to be joining OSF Healthcare and to have the opportunity to lead St. Mary Medical Center as its next president," said DeKezel.
"I’m impressed by the OSF team’s commitment to excellence in service and innovation to meet community health and wellness needs.”
“I feel blessed to be joining the team and look forward to continuing to grow in our Mission to serve with the greatest care and love," she added
DeKezel received her Bachelor of Science in nursing from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona. She went on to earn her Master of Jurisprudence in health law and policy from Loyola University in Chicago. In addition to her health care leadership at Hammond-Henry Hospital, DeKezel also served as a consultant to several health care systems across multiple states.
DeKezel and her husband, Damian, have a blended family of eight children and 11 grandchildren with another due to arrive in November. She enjoys spending time with family and friends and working outdoors and remains actively involved with her church and community, as well as with youth mission work both locally and abroad.