Leadership

Karissa Turner, MBA, FACHE, President & CEO

As a Mt. Carmel native, Karissa has served Wabash General Hospital since 2005, beginning her tenure as a Practice Manager. 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 completed her Associate in Science and Arts from Wabash Valley College in 2003, before completing her Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Professional Services in 2005 from the University of Southern Indiana and her Master of Business Administration from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale in 2014. She is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. Karissa is actively involved in the Mt. Carmel Rotary Club, IHA Small & Rural Steering Committee, and is a board member of Mt. Carmel Area Economic Alliance, Mt. Carmel Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities, and Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network.

Tamara Gould, RN, BSN, Senior Executive Vice President of Hospital Operation/Chief Operating Officer

Tamara Gould began work at Wabash General Hospital as an EMT in 1994 while attending Oakland City University to earn her bachelor’s degree in science in 1995. She went on to earn her associate’s degree in nursing from Wabash Valley College in 1998. She began working as an emergency room RN in 1998, and was promoted to a nursing supervisor in 2001. Six years later in 2007, she became the Vice President of Clinical Services/Chief Nursing Officer. In 2019, she began her current role as the Senior Executive Vice President of Hospital Operation/Chief Operating Officer. Tamara is actively involved in Wabash Valley College Foundation, Wabash County Crimestoppers and the Wabash County 911 Board.

Lynn Leek, CPA, Executive Vice President of Finances/Chief Financial Officer

Lynn, a Certified Public Accountant, has over 25 years of hospital revenue cycle, reimbursement and financial management experience. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy degree from Southern Indiana University. She is a strategic thinker and has an ability to facilitate change while unifying teams across multiple disciplines. Lynn is married and has three daughters, one son, and seven grandchildren. Lynn is actively involved in Mt. Carmel Kiwanis Club.

Kim Pearson, RN, CPHQ, CPPS, Executive Vice President of Clinical Services/Chief Nursing Officer

Kim joined Wabash General Hospital in 2011, and served as the Quality Director and Risk Manager for 8 years gaining valuable leadership experience. Kim received her associates degree in nursing at Wabash Valley College in 1995; Certification in Healthcare Quality and Certification in Patient Safety in 2013. Prior to joining Wabash General Hospital, Kim served as a nurse in the VA Medical Center in Danville, Illinois on the medical floor. She also worked at another Critical Access Hospital where she gained experience in the Emergency Room Department, Med/Surg, ICU, Obstetrics, and as a Nursing Supervisor. She worked at a private practice Family Medicine office for several years. In her current role, she provides leadership and direction for the nursing staff and is responsible for planning, organizing, directing and controlling all functions of nursing including Inpatient Services, Surgery, Case Management, Respiratory, Sleep Lab, Laboratory and Anesthesia departments. Kim serves on the Safe Haven Board of Directors.

Danielle Stevens, MBA, CFRM, Executive Vice President of Business Development & Foundation/Chief Marketing Officer

Danielle grew up in Noble, Illinois and currently resides in Lawrenceville, Illinois. She joined the Wabash General Hospital family in 2014. She completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Paralegal Studies from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale and completed her Master of Business Administration degree with a concentration in Marketing from Southern New Hampshire University in 2018. In 2021, Danielle completed her Certificate in Fundraising Management at Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. Prior to joining WGH, she worked as a paralegal. She exhibits initiative, creativity, and flexibility to be able to execute all duties necessary. She is responsible for marketing new and existing services at Wabash General Hospital, as well as being the lead on the hospital's Foundation. Danielle is married to JD Stevens and they have one daughter. Danielle is a board member for the Rotary Club of Lawrenceville, Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce and Lawrence County Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities.

M. Bridget Shepard, CPA, Executive Director of Human Resources/Chief Human Resources Officer

Bridget has worked at Wabash General Hospital for over twenty years. Her education includes a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from the University of Evansville. Shortly following her graduation, she earned her certification in public accounting. She started her career at Kemper CPA Group where she worked as a Certified Public Accountant for nine years specializing in taxation, government and construction contractor audits and benefits plan management. Next , she worked at Citizens Bank/Fifth Third Bank as an Accounting System Specialist for four years where she was responsible for the financial accounting and analysis of the Western Division of a multi-billion dollar corporation. In her current role at Wabash General, she is responsible for the Human Resources support of over 500 employees. Her experience includes executive level management, leadership development, benefits development, training/employee development, and employee relations. She is also responsible for the direction of the Payroll and Nutrition Services areas. Bridget is a board member for the Wabash County Chamber of Commerce and Wabash Rally Against Cancer.

Katheryn McWhirter, RN, BSN, CPHQ, Vice President of Quality

Katheryn is responsible for the leadership to provide for excellent patient safety and clinical quality for Wabash General Hospital as the Vice President of Quality. Prior to her current employment, she served as the Director of Case Management for 11 years. She completed her associates degree in nursing at Wabash Valley College and continued her education at the University of Southern Indiana. She began working at Wabash General Hospital in 1998 where she gained valuable experience working on the medical surgical floor, emergency room, as well as the case management department and clinical informatics. In her current role as Vice President of Quality, Katheryn’s methods emphasize process improvement and high-quality, patient centered healthcare to make sure our patients receive the best patient experience possible while receiving services at any of our facilities. She is responsible for risk management and the leadership and direction of patient care coordination, patient experience, employee education, and infection prevention departments. She is married to James, has one daughter and one son.

Eldo Deisher, RN, CAC, Vice President of Emergency Services

Eldo joined Wabash General Hospital in 1989. He first worked as an EMT in 1989 while attending Wabash Valley College earning his associate degree in nursing in 1995. He began working in the Emergency Room until 2000 and then was promoted to Nursing Supervisor in where he gained experience in Emergency Medicine, Med/Surg and Monitored Care. Ten years later, he was promoted to Clinical Informatics Director and Director of the Wabash General Ambulance Service. In 2019, he began his current role as Vice President of Emergency Services and became a member of ENA. Eldo has always lived in Wabash County and enjoys being a part of Wabash General Hospital.

Andrew Kleinschmidt, Vice President of Professional Services

Andrew Kleinschmidt currently serves as Vice President of Professional Services for Wabash General Hospital in Mount Carmel, IL. He provides oversight for the orthopaedic, primary care, and specialty physician practices, as well as rehabilitation services operations. Andrew has a clinical background, serving WGH as a physical therapist since 2008. Andrew has been with WGH since 2006. He and his wife, Joni, reside in Mount Carmel with their two sons and their golden doodle. In his spare time, Andrew enjoys outdoor activities with his family, home projects, boating and waterskiing.

Katie Dean, Executive Assistant

Katie is originally from Mount Carmel where she currently resides with her family. She graduated from Mt. Carmel High School in 2008 and Wabash Valley College in 2010. She joined Wabash General Hospital’s Administrative Team in January 2012. In her spare time, she enjoys being outdoors and spending time with her friends and family.