A Message from the Bothwell Regional Health Center Board of Trustees
On behalf of the Bothwell Regional Health Center Board of Trustees, we would like to begin by expressing our sincere appreciation to Lori Wightman for her leadership, hard work, and dedication to Bothwell and the communities we serve.
Since joining Bothwell as Chief Executive Officer in 2019, Lori has helped guide our organization through some of the most challenging times in healthcare. Her leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, efforts to recruit physicians and healthcare providers, and advocacy for rural healthcare are among the many contributions she has made during her tenure.
On October 12, 2026, the Board of Trustees made the decision to end Lori Wightman’s contract as Chief Executive Officer, effective October 13, 2026. We are grateful for her years of service, her commitment to Bothwell, and the contributions she has made to our organization and community. We sincerely thank Lori for her dedication and wish her the very best in her future endeavors.
To provide stability and continuity during this transition, the Board of Trustees has appointed Mike Harvey to serve as Interim Chief Executive Officer. Mike joined Bothwell in April 2026 as Interim Chief Operating Officer (COO) and brings more than 25 years of healthcare leadership experience to this role, including 18 years as CEO of a rural hospital system in Nebraska.
Throughout his career, Mike has demonstrated experience in strengthening hospital operations, improving financial performance, and expanding healthcare services. His familiarity with Bothwell, combined with his extensive leadership experience, will be valuable as we move forward.
The Board will work closely with Mike and Bothwell’s senior leadership team to support the organization during this transition and undertake a thoughtful and thorough search for our next permanent Chief Executive Officer.
To the employees who make up the Bothwell family, we want you to know how much you are valued and appreciated. We recognize that the success of this organization is not the result of any one individual, but rather the collective dedication, compassion, and hard work of the people who serve our patients and community every day.
Whether you provide direct patient care, support those who do, or work behind the scenes to keep our organization operating, your contributions matter. You are the foundation of Bothwell, and the Board recognizes and appreciates the important role each of you plays in its success.
The Board of Trustees remains firmly committed to the future of Bothwell Regional Health Center. We believe in this organization, the people who work here, and the essential role Bothwell plays in the health and well-being of Sedalia and the surrounding communities.
Our responsibility is to provide the vision, support, and direction necessary to ensure Bothwell continues to deliver quality healthcare while building a strong and positive future. We take that responsibility seriously and will continue working with our leadership team, medical staff, and employees to move our organization forward.
We recognize that changes in leadership can bring questions and uncertainty. We want our employees, patients, and community to know that our commitment to Bothwell and its mission remains unchanged. We have confidence in the future of Bothwell, confidence in our employees, and confidence in what we can accomplish together.
Thank you for your continued dedication to Bothwell Regional Health Center and the communities we are privileged to serve.
Board of Trustees
Bothwell Regional Health Center