Kimberly A. Russel, LFACHE
CEO, Russel Advisors

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Kim Russel is CEO of Russel Advisors. Kim brings 40 years of healthcare executive background, including 25 years of CEO experience, to her consulting practice. Kim has worked in almost every type of healthcare delivery structure: academic medical center, community, Catholic, secular, city-owned, county-owned, and stateowned, including freestanding hospitals and integrated health systems. This backdrop provides Kim with a deep understanding of the unique niche of every participant in the healthcare field.

Kim’s proudest career achievement has been her service as President and CEO of two distinctively different organizations: Mary Greeley Medical Center of Ames, Iowa (1995–2008), and Bryan Health of Lincoln, Nebraska (2008–2020). Earlier in her career, Kim served as Chief Operating Officer at the University of Kansas Hospital in Kansas City, Kansas, and in various executive roles at Iowa Methodist Medical Center (now Unity Point-Des Moines).

Kim recently retired from Bryan Health and formed her own boutique consulting firm which allows her to dedicate her time to help healthcare boards and CEOs thrive amidst the chaotic healthcare environment. Kim also serves as an advisor to The Governance Institute. Kim is a frequent presenter on contemporary governance topics for the American College of Healthcare Executives, American Hospital Association, The Governance Institute, Texas Healthcare Trustees, and many others. She has authored over 35 publications on various governance and leadership topics.

Kim has extensive experience in building relationships and crafting effective strategies involving private practice physicians, including single specialty practice groups and multi-specialty group practices. Kim also has a strong interest in leadership development and executive coaching. Kim was succeeded by internal candidates she hired and mentored at the last three health systems in which she served.

Kim believes excellence in governance corresponds with positive organizational outcomes—and accordingly has dedicated a significant portion of her time to board service. Throughout her career, Kim has been an active member of over 20 boards and has served as chair of 10 boards.

Kim holds a bachelor of science in management from Purdue University and a Master of Health Administration from Washington University.

Consulting Expertise

• CEO advisory services
• Governance advisory services
• Streamlining governance to maximize outcomes
• Strategic plan facilitation, with a focus on growth strategy development
• Private practice physician strategy development
• Succession planning and leadership development
• Converting ineffective boards to highly effective boards
• Maximizing public hospital governance effectiveness
• Board retreat facilitation