Chris Darnell Returns as Administrator at Big Sky Medical Center
Corporate news | Sunday, April 23, 2023
Contact: Brianne Rogers
BIG SKY, MT [April 19, 2023] — Bozeman Health is pleased to share that Chris Darnell has returned to Bozeman Health as the administrator for Bozeman Health Big Sky Medical Center
(BSMC).
Chris most recently served as CEO at Telluride Regional Medical Center in Colorado. Previously, Chris was a longtime Bozeman Health team member including service as the administrator of BSMC and the system director of network development. Prior to that role he served as vice president of the Bozeman Health Medical Group, overseeing physician clinic integration, operations and development. He has over 25 years of health care leadership experience.
A native of Virginia, Darnell began his career in Charleston, South Carolina at the Medical University of South Carolina where he completed a post-graduate administrative fellowship and subsequently held several progressive positions. He then moved to East Cooper Medical Center, also in the Charleston area, where he served as vice president for strategy and development, leading strategic planning and growth and business development. Chris holds a master’s and a doctorate degree in health administration.
Officially starting on April 17 as administrator for BSMC, Chris will be responsible for directing a shared services model to plan, staff, execute, and monitor BSMC’s operations subject to policies, budgets, objectives, and directives mandated by regulatory agencies and DNV and in alignment with the executive team and the Bozeman Health System Board. Additionally, Chris will oversee day to day operations and serve as a mentor and leader to hospital management.
“I am so happy to be back with Bozeman Health and at Big Sky Medical Center,” said Darnell. “I am inspired by the careteam’s compassion, dedication and commitment to our mission to improve community health and quality of life. Everyone has been so welcoming. I am excited to lean in and help serve the needs of southern Gallatin county.”
Darnell replaces Dr. Kathryn Bertany, who had been serving as interim administrator since September 2022 with the support of onsite leaders at Big Sky Medical Center. Dr. Bertany continues to serve as interim president and CEO of Bozeman Health.