Ms. Russell is CEO of Mitchell County Regional Health Center. Appointed CEO in 2014, she leads three rural health clinics and a critical access hospital. Mitchell County Regional Health Center has been named a Chartis Center for Rural Health “Top 100 Critical Access Hospital” five times. During her tenure, she has driven significant growth in outpatient services and provider recruitment. She has more than 35 years of experience, having served in a variety of clinical nursing roles early in her career. Prior to assuming her current role, Ms. Russell was CNO at the health center. A devoted advocate for improving the quality of rural healthcare, she has served on the board of directors of the Iowa Hospital Association since 2018. Currently, Ms. Russell serves as the chairman of the Iowa Hospital Association’s board of directors. Ms. Russell also served on the American Hospital Association regional policy board for the Midwest region. Locally, Ms. Russell served the Osage Development Council, Mitchell County Economic Development Council, Mitchell County Substance Abuse Council and Osage Rotary. In 2005, Ms. Russell co-authored The Joint Commission’s Ernest Codman Quality award-winning abstract titled “Improving Diabetes Care and Outcomes in a Rural Primary Care Clinic.”
Becker's Recognition
Shelly Russellhas been named a Becker's honoree on the lists below.
2023 Winner

Executives
67 Critical Access Hospital CEOs to Know
Becker’s is thrilled to recognize 67 CEOs and top leaders of critical access hospitals from across the U.S. The leaders recognized below successfully navigated their organizations through the COVID-19 pandemic and continue to focus on growing access to care as a valuable community resource.
The following CEOs of critical access hospitals are lauded for their dedication to innovation, safety and quality. Many of these CEOs have led service line expansions, recruitment efforts, and partnerships with larger hospitals and health systems. These CEOs are devoted to the continuous improvement of their critical access hospitals, knowing just how crucial they are to the communities they serve.
2024 Winner

Executives
Critical Access Hospital CEOs to Know
The following CEOs of critical access hospitals are lauded for their dedication to innovation, safety and quality. Many of these CEOs have led service line expansions, recruitment efforts, and partnerships with larger hospitals and health systems. These CEOs are devoted to the continuous improvement of their critical access hospitals, knowing just how crucial they are to the communities they serve.
2025 Winner

