News release
PLAINVILLE — After a six-month-long extensive and comprehensive nationwide search to replace outgoing CEO AJ Thomas, the best candidate turned out to be close to home in Rooks County. Stephanie Bjornstad, BSN, Quality Director at Rooks County Health Center, has been named Chief Executive Officer of RCH. She officially began her new duties on June 3.
Bjornstad, who has been with RCH for 18 years, is a Plainville native who earned her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from the University of Kansas. In her capacity as Quality Director/Risk Manager at RCH, she also oversaw the infection prevention, employee health and disaster safety programs for the hospital.
Jeff Van Dyke, Chairman of the RCH Board, said Bjornstad has the full and unconditional support of the board, which resulted in a unanimous vote to appoint her to the position. Van Dyke also voiced the board’s appreciation and admiration for AJ Thomas, who is stepping down as RCH CEO for the last 4 ½ years, for his outstanding dedication and for the great strides that the hospital made during his tenure.
When asked for her thoughts on taking on the responsibilities of running a critical access hospital Bjornstad said, “RCH has something really special here, a culture that emphasizes patient care above all else and puts a premium on quality services. We not only do a great job providing healthcare, we do it with the best attitude and at the highest standards of care."
With her eye to the future, Bjornstad’s plans for RCH going forward are “… to continue to grow the services that rural Kansan’s deserve. We’ll keep doing what we always do here at RCH, work to constantly provide the highest standard of patient care possible, right here in Rooks County."