Alexander tapped to lead GRHS

WEST BURLINGTON - The Great River Health Board of Directors has named Jeremy Alexander as the next permanent President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Great River Health System effective immediately.   
Dr. Michael McCoy resigned from the President and CEO position for personal reasons on July 23, 2026.  Jeremy Alexander has been filling the role on an interim basis since then while continuing his responsibilities as Chief Financial Officer as well. He has been an integral member of the Great River Health Executive Team since 2018, helping to shape the direction of the health system.  
“The Great River Health Board of Directors exercised thoughtful consideration and a comprehensive review process of the internal candidates before choosing Jeremy. We were committed to selecting a visionary leader who would continue the positive change begun under Dr. McCoy’s leadership,” expressed John McKillip, Chairperson of the Great River Health Board of Directors. “With the many challenges facing healthcare today, we are looking for Jeremy to build on past successes while identifying new opportunities for growth and long-term financial resilience.” 

Mr. Alexander’s role as Chief Financial Officer, directing the financial decisions for the health system, will be instrumental in this work.  He has also been closely involved in leading through change as the health system grew and evolved merging with Fort Madison Community Hospital; unifying the hospitals to become a sole community hospital operating as Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center; and bringing Henry County Health Center into the health system through a long-term lease agreement.  As Executive Sponsor of the Epic implementation project, Jeremy has helped guide one of the health system’s most significant operational changes. 
“Being selected as the next CEO of Great River Health is a privilege and with it comes responsibility to not only protect the health of our community members but the communities themselves. Southeast Iowa is my home. I was born and raised in the region and appreciate the impact Great River Health has on the area. I look forward to bridging our past successes with what we must become: honoring our history and our people while building the operational discipline, the cultural renewal, and the strategic focus that the next chapter demands,” Alexander said.
Great River Health System is a regional health system serving Southeast Iowa, Western Illinois and Northern Missouri.  The comprehensive health system includes three hospital campuses, Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in West Burlington and Fort Madison and Henry County Health Center in Mount Pleasant providing a full range of healthcare services with 24/7 emergency departments.  The health system operates thirty primary and specialty clinics located in the Iowa cities of West Burlington, Fort Madison, Mount Pleasant, Keokuk, New London, Winfield, and Wapello; five retail pharmacies plus a specialty pharmacy; two long-term care facilities and a Hospice House. 
Great River Health has over 2,900 employees comprised of medical staff, healthcare professionals and support staff who are empowered through the Great River Health mission to provide compassionate, high-quality care, while being good stewards of our resources.