The Stewart Memorial Community Hospital Board of Directors have announced their Chief Operating Officer (COO), Cindy Carstens, will be their new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Carstens has more than 35 years of health care experience and began her career in Lake City with SMCH eight years ago as the vice president of nursing and ancillary services. She was named COO in 2015. Chairman of the board, Rev. Chad Dietrich, says Carstens is an excellent leader for SMCH and her profound knowledge of health care, executive leadership and focus on providing quality care aligns with the strategic focus of the hospital. She has been named as one of the Top 100 Nurses in Iowa and currently serves on the Iowa Central Nursing Advisory Council, the Calhoun County Board of Health, Calhoun County Disaster Coalition, Calhoun County Mental Health Task Force, Service Share Risk Management Committee and the Iowa Hospital Advocacy Committee. Carstens is a Farnhamville native and lives in Gowrie with her husband, Alan. They have three grown children and seven grandchildren. In late May, current CEO, Heather Cain, announced her resignation effective mid-July. Carsten will take the reins from Cain and being her new role as CEO on July 16.
