Voelkel new administrator at Culberson Hospital

Jonathon Voelkel, MBA, has been named administrator of Culberson Hospital effective August 3, according to Mike Easley, vice president of hospital operations for Preferred.

“Jonathan is a highly capable administrator who will continue to build on the foundation established by Jared Chanski to enhance services and improve operations of Culberson Hospital and Van Horn Rural Health Clinic,” said Easley.

“I am really looking forward to working with the providers and staff of the hospital and clinic and am also excited to become a part of this community,” said Voelkel.  “I also appreciate the opportunity to work with the team at Preferred.   The healthcare environment becomes more complex every day so having access to the resources of Preferred will be a great advantage.”  

Chanski, who has been the hospital administrator for the last 3 1/2 years, was promoted by Preferred to assistant vice president and is relocating to the Shawnee, Oklahoma, offices of Preferred.

“Leaving Van Horn is hard,” said Chanski. “Alicia and I have made this community our home and we will miss everyone.  But I also know that we are leaving the hospital and clinic in good hands.”  

According to Andy Freeman, president of Preferred, Chanski will continue to provide support to Culberson Hospital as a part of his new role with the company.  

Voelkel brings 30 years of healthcare experience to Culberson County, including eight years as the administrator/chief executive officer of Willbarger General Hospital, a 49-bed hospital in Vernon, Texas.  He also served for two years as the director of human resources of Mena Regional Health System (previously named Mena Medical Center), a 65-bed hospital in Mena, Ark., before he was promoted to assistant administrator.

As a result of these administrative positions, Voelkel has extensive experience in fiscal, strategic and operational leadership of hospitals.  This is complemented by his early clinical experiences as a PT aide, emergency medical technician and medical laboratory technician.

Voelkel was appointed a select member of the Texas Hospital Association Rural Hospital Constituency Council and is a member of the Texas Organization of Rural & Community Hospitals and the American College of Hospital Executives.  

He has also been active in local community organizations including the school district, Chamber of Commerce, Meals on Wheels, Kiwanis Club and Lion’s Club.

 “We welcome Jonathan to the hospital and clinic, and look forward to getting to know him better,” said Edwin Easley, CCHD board chair, after Voelkel was introduced to the Culberson County Hospital District (CCHD) board of directors during their July meeting.

Voelkel received his master’s in business administration from Webster University, St. Louis, Missouri, and bachelor of science degree in organizational management from John Brown University, Siloam Springs, Ark.  

He has a served as an adjunct faculty instructor at Rich Mountain Community College, Mena, Ark. His wife Goldie, of 25 years, will be accompanying Jonathon in his new endeavor. They are blessed with three adult children, Zach (26), Adam (25) and Emily (21) along with two grandchildren.