A southeast Iowa hospital beset in scandal ended a three-month search by naming its new CEO on Thursday.
Willaim Keifer is the new chief executive officer of Ottumwa Regional Health Center, according to a press release. Keifer was tabbed the interim CEO in November after previous CEO Dennis Hunger was relieved of his duties.
Two weeks ago, the Ottumwa Police Department said an investigation showed a former nurse practitioner, 27-year-old Devin Caraccio of Centerville, sexually assaulted at least nine female patients while working at the hospital. Police say Caraccio photographed or videoed the assaults which were recovered from his cell phone.
Authorities started their investigation when Caraccio was found dead in a room at Ottumwa Regional Health Center in October. The cause of death was later determined to be an accidental overdose.
Kiefer’s previous stops include Canyon Vista Medical Center in Arizona where he served as chief operating officer. Prior to joining Canyon Vista Medical Center, he served as CEO and Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) at hospitals including OmniPoint Health in Anahuac, Texas, Marias Medical Center in Shelby, Montana, and Rehoboth McKinley Christian Health Care Services in Gallup, New Mexico. He also held leadership and clinical positions at Texas hospitals including Red River Regional Hospital in Bonham, and Sierra Medical Center, El Paso.
Ottumwa Regional Health Center CEO William Kiefer
- “I am honored to be able to stay here in Ottumwa and grow with this team and community. I’ve learned so much about ORHC and this region the last several weeks, and I know we have many opportunities to become an even better workplace and support our patients and their families in new ways. I’m looking forward to meeting more people in Ottumwa and surrounding communities and working with our employees, providers, board, and partners to explore our opportunities to grow and advance our mission of making communities healthier.”
Kiefer and his wife Jasmine have been married for more than 20 years and have three children, Sofie and twins Madison and Ethan. He enjoys serving actively in both church and civic organizations, including the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
