Cathy Pimple has a new role coming soon at Newman Regional Health.
Currently serving as the hospital’s chief administrative officer, Pimple was elevated to chief executive officer at the end of the hospital’s Board of Trustees meeting Wednesday.
Pimple brings over 30 years of experience to her new role, including time as a nurse’s aide at Newman Regional Health, a registered nurse after graduating from Emporia State University and a number of administrative positions at the hospital, including chief quality and compliance officer, chief information officer and her current role, where she has served the last three years. She says her role specifically as quality officer serves her well because of her work with the full hospital team.
Board Chair Luke Arndt says Pimple is thoroughly qualified for the role.
Arndt also credited Pimple for her work to help navigate the hospital through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pimple is set to replace Bob Wright, who is retiring after almost 10 years of leading Newman Regional Health and an administrative career including chief executive roles in Illinois and Michigan. Wright’s retirement will be effective Oct. 1. Wright says Pimple “has the right mix of smarts, vision, hard work, confidence and compassion. She knows how to see the potential in others, a rare talent.”
Pimple is officially Newman Regional Health’s first female chief executive officer. Cora Miller opened Newman Memorial Hospital in 1922 as superintendent and served in that role until 1931. In addition to graduating from Emporia State, she has also served on the ESU faculty. She also completed a master’s degree in public health and finished a doctorate in leadership from the University of Kansas four years ago.
The board interviewed three candidates as part of executive sessions last month.
Video by Chuck Samples/KVOE News
