Tonya Darner will step down from her role as market CEO of UP Health System-Marquette (Mich.) and UP Health System-Bell in Ishpeming, Mich., effective Sept. 18, NBC affiliate WLUC reported Aug. 25.
UP Health System said in a statement to the outlet that it is “actively working with hospital and division leadership to finalize interim leadership plans and ensure continuity throughout the transition,” in a statement to the outlet. The system said its hospitals “remain supported by experienced local leadership teams” and that additional details on leadership plans will follow in the coming weeks.
Ms. Darner was named permanent CEO of UPHS-Marquette in December 2023 after serving as interim CEO and, before that, COO since 2021. Her role expanded in June 2025, when she took on market CEO duties for both Marquette and Bell following Mitch Leckelt’s retirement.
UP Health System operates three hospitals across Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and is part of Brentwood, Tenn.-based LifePoint Health.
Ms. Darner’s market CEO role mirrors a broader trend seen across the industry as more health systems have expanded single-hospital CEO roles to cover multiple facilities over the past year.
