Nebraska Hospital CEO Departs Kearney Regional Medical Center

Scott Smith, MD, named interim CEO after Douglas Koch's exit

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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Douglas Koch has stepped down as CEO of Kearney (Neb.) Regional Medical Center. Scott Smith, MD, an internal medicine physician at Platte Valley Medical Clinic in Kearney, has been appointed interim president and CEO effective February 12, following Koch's departure.

Why it matters

CEO turnover is common in the healthcare industry, but it can disrupt operations and impact patient care if not managed properly. Kearney Regional Medical Center will need to ensure a smooth transition to maintain continuity of leadership and services for the community.

The details

Douglas Koch had served as CEO of Kearney Regional Medical Center since August 2024, after previously holding the CEO role at Governor Juan F. Luis Hospital and Medical Center in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. Prior to that, he was vice president of operations for Rapid City, S.D.-based Monument Health. The reasons for Koch's departure were not specified in the announcement.

  • Douglas Koch stepped into the CEO position in August 2024.
  • Scott Smith, MD, was appointed interim president and CEO effective February 12, 2026.

The players

Douglas Koch

Former CEO of Kearney (Neb.) Regional Medical Center.

Scott Smith, MD

Internal medicine physician at Platte Valley Medical Clinic in Kearney, who has been appointed interim president and CEO of Kearney Regional Medical Center.

Kearney Regional Medical Center

A hospital located in Kearney, Nebraska.

Bryan Health

A health system based in Lincoln, Nebraska, that owns Kearney Regional Medical Center.

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What’s next

The hospital's board of directors will conduct a search for a permanent CEO to replace Douglas Koch.

The takeaway

CEO transitions can be disruptive for healthcare organizations, so Kearney Regional Medical Center will need to ensure a smooth handoff of leadership to maintain continuity of care and services for the community.