Daisy Rodriguez, MSN, RN, is no longer CEO and chief nursing officer of Waukegan, Ill.-based Vista Health System, effective Oct. 6, she said in a message to Becker’s.
Kevin Spiegel, senior vice president of Vista’s owner, American Healthcare Systems, is providing support in an interim capacity as the organization goes through a leadership transition, Deanna Cruz, Vista’s community engagement and marketing director, said in a statement to Becker’s. Mr. Spiegel previously served as Vista’s CEO.
Ms. Rodriguez was named to the dual role in early August. She succeeded Kim Needham, who was named CEO in April 2025. Ms. Rodriguez was the fifth CEO, counting an interim leader, to lead Vista since American Healthcare Systems acquired it in July 2023, the Lake and McHenry County Scanner reported.
“Throughout my tenure, my focus remained on strengthening the hospital’s operational and financial sustainability, supporting our dedicated employees and medical staff, and ensuring the delivery of safe, high-quality, compassionate care to the residents of Waukegan and Lake County,” Ms. Rodriguez said.
Her exit comes after a payroll issue at the hospital last month, which Vista said was caused by a banking issue that has since been resolved. Employees are now receiving pay through direct deposit, and Vista Medical Center East continues to provide emergency care and maintains its Level 2 trauma center designation, Ms. Cruz said. She added that the organization continues to undergo structural and operational changes.
American Healthcare Systems is also at the center of litigation in which shareholders and affiliated hospitals allege founder Mike Sarian diverted funds. Mr. Sarian has denied the allegations. Separately, a company that bought the hospital’s delinquent 2023 property taxes has petitioned a Lake County court for ownership of the site through a tax deed, according to the Daily Herald. The case remains pending, the Scanner reported Oct. 9.
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