Board picks Dingledine to succeed Klenke

COLDWATER - Mercer Health's Board of Governors on Wednesday night unanimously voted to promote Chief Financial Officer Jon Dingledine to the top administrative position.

Effective July 1, Dingledine, who is also the chief operations officer, will assume the role of chief executive officer, succeeding Lisa Klenke and taking the helm of the local health care system which is anchored by Mercer County Community Hospital in Coldwater.

"Jon will take over Lisa's position. They don't wear the same size shoes, but you're still going to have big shoes to fill, Jon," board president Bob Rose said.

Dingledine replied that Klenke, who will retire at the end of June, ending a 37-year stretch with Mercer Health, is irreplaceable.

"But I am very excited for the opportunity and grateful for the opportunity and thank you, the board, for having confidence and trust in me, trying our best to carry on the legacy that Lisa's created," Dingledine said. "Myself and the whole senior leadership team will be working like crazy to make sure you guys are proud of us and Lisa's proud of us as well."

Rose said in a statement that the CEO search committee, which sprang into action at the end of February, is confident that Dingledine's leadership and commitment to Mercer Health and the community it serves "will help guide us into a future marked by continued excellence, collaboration, and compassion."

"We are committed to ensuring a smooth executive leadership transition," Rose added.

Dingledine earned a bachelor's degree in business administration with a concentration in finance from Bowling Green State University in 2007. He went on to attain a master's degree in business administration with concentration in human resources from Central Michigan University and a master's degree in health care administration from the University of St. Francis.

He's been with Mercer Health since 2013, holding the positions senior director of support services and senior director of human resources and support services, according to a Mercer Health news release. Dingledine has served as CFO and COO since 2019.

He and his wife, Brandi, have three children and are lifelong residents of Coldwater.

"I am extremely passionate about ensuring the ongoing success of the organization and supporting high quality healthcare in the local area," Dingledine said in a statement.

At the February board meeting, Klenke announced that she will retire at the end of June.

Having served as chief nursing officer for 20 years and CEO the last 12 years, Klenke said her decision to retire comes with a deep appreciation for the incredible journey she has shared with Mercer Health's associates.

"Serving this organization and working alongside such a dedicated and talented team has been the greatest privilege of my professional career," Klenke said in a statement. "Together we have achieved remarkable milestones, faced challenges with resilience, and remained steadfast in our commitment to delivering exceptional care to our patients and their families. While I look forward to beginning this next chapter of my life, my heart will remain with Mercer Health and the incredible work you do every day."

Klenke was heralded for her visionary leadership, under which Mercer Health experienced growth and enhanced services, most notably, the West Wing expansion at the hospital, which was opened to the public in October 2018, Mercer Health officials said in a news release.

Board members on Wednesday night also congratulated Klenke for winning the Ohio Hospital Association's Donald R. Newkirk Award - what Dingledine called a prestigious honor recognizing her exceptional contributions to the health care profession in Ohio.

The award was presented at OHA's Annual Recognition Dinner in Columbus.

Under Klenke's leadership, Mercer Health introduced innovative services such as mental wellness and healthy weight and wellness programs, expanded health care accessibility into Auglaize County, Maria Stein and Mendon, and navigated numerous challenges, including the COVID pandemic and the implementation of the EPIC electronic medical records system, health officials said.