Six North Dakota Hospital CEOs Make Top List

Aug 14, 2025

In Becker's Hospital Review, a newly-released top list of Critical Access Hospital (CAH) presidents/CEOs to know included six North Dakota leaders.

According to Becker's release, "The leaders featured on this list are driving growth by expanding services, upgrading facilities, and building skilled teams. Despite challenges like the pandemic and nationwide staffing shortages, these executives have implemented resilient strategies to keep their hospitals thriving for the long haul."

The six North Dakota CAH CEOs recognized are:

• Mike Delfs, President and CEO, Jamestown Regional Medical Center, Jamestown
• Lukas Fischer, CEO, Linton Regional Medical Center, Linton, and South Central Health, Wishek
• Eric Heupel, CEO, Ashley Medical Center, Ashley
• Lisa LeTexier, CEO, Pembina County Memorial Hospital, Cavalier
• Marcus Lewis, First Care Health Center, Park River
• Jody Nelson, Luke's Medical Center, Crosby

A total of 118 rural hospital and health system presidents and CEOs were selected for 2025. Delfs and Fisher were also selected as top CEOs in 2024.

"The leadership in a healthcare system sets a tone for the organization and often that tone will spread, not only through the providers and staff of the organization, but also through the community," said Jacob Warren, director at the University of North Dakota Center for Rural Health. "From managing resources in a thoughtful way, hiring providers and staff that prioritize patient care, and becoming partners in their local communities, we are truly thankful for their contribution to the health of North Dakotans."