(Marshalltown, IA):  The Central Iowa Healthcare Board of Trustees announces, effective immediately, John Hughes will be departing his role as President and CEO. The Board of Trustees has appointed Dawnett Willis as COO/acting CEO of Central Iowa Healthcare.

Dawnett joined CIH in 2013 after previously working at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital-Allen as the Director of Outpatient Services. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and an MBA from Bellevue University.

“The Board of Trustees are exploring future leadership options through our partnership discussions and are working to find a positive path forward for the organization,” states Carol Hibbs, Chair of the Board of Trustees.

There continues to be progress at Central Iowa Healthcare in the areas of ongoing partnership discussions, improvements to the revenue cycle and other business processes, and delivering high-quality care to patients and their families in central Iowa.

“The Board of Trustees appreciates the dedication of CIH employees and physicians during this difficult time for our organization,” states Hibbs.

As the region’s only full-service medical center, more than 60,000 residents of Marshall, Tama, and Grundy counties rely on CIH for a wide variety of healthcare services. CIH has a history of serving these communities for more than a century and a strong commitment to delivering quality, patient-centered care close to home.