GENESEO – After an extensive, nationwide search, the board of directors of Hammond-Henry Hospital has named Wyatt Brieser to serve as its next CEO. The board met early Tuesday in special session to make its selection.
The 38-year-old Brieser, who was born and raised in Henry County, joined HHH in 2009 as a rehab tech, followed by multiple promotions to physical therapist, Long Term Care Living Center Manager, Director of Ancillary Services, and Vice President of Operations, all within Hammond-Henry Hospital. Effective in early July, Brieser’s newest title will be CEO of the Geneseo critical access hospital that will celebrate its 125th anniversary in 2026.
“My roots in this community run deep,” said Brieser. “Working at Hammond-Henry Hospital over the last 15 years has allowed me to become more aware of the integrity, responsibility, and resiliency that must accompany our employment. I believe that Hammond-Henry’s success is dependent on our ability to grow with the times while holding tightly to our core values. I will pursue sustainable growth while maintaining patient, provider, and employee satisfaction.
“With due respect to the barriers and obstacles that lie ahead of us, I take comfort in knowing who we are and what Hammond-Henry stands for. I know that we have great potential for continued excellence in healthcare,” he continued. “Furthermore, I believe that we can do it at a level of quality, compassion, and value that surpasses the standard in our nation. I am honored and excited to lead those efforts.”
Brieser has been instrumental in helping bring new physicians and new service lines to Hammond-Henry’s hospital and clinics including neurology, chiropractic care, pain management, and soon, a rheumatologist and its own orthopedic surgeon. He acted as administrator over the recent efforts to upgrade imaging and diagnostic capabilities to the hospital’s MRI, fluoroscopy, and 3-D mammography equipment and, in 2023, was administrator over a $1 million laboratory remodel. He also managed the HHH Long Term Care Living Center through COVID from 2019-2021.
Brieser has continued to be intrinsically involved in athletic training at offsite sporting events, building up local boys’ and girls’ Summit sports programs and the community-wide Free2Play Youth Fun Day, while also remaining an active member of the Geneseo Kiwanis Club and St. Anthony’s Church. Additionally, he is an Inspiring Continuing Care Community partner and serves as the Geneseo Community Center’s Seminars Coordinator.
“Hammond-Henry Hospital and the Henry County community continue to offer me opportunities to advance and grow. I’ve had so many champions in my life to love, support, and mentor me. It has become my personal mission to return that love and support to this community,” said Brieser. “As I’ve grown at Hammond-Henry, my platform to accomplish this mission has expanded. I’ll never fully repay the kindness that has been offered to me, but there will be continued effort and intent to do so.”
As for the future of the hospital, Brieser added, “Our mission continues – to improve the quality of life in our communities through excellence in healthcare. But to drill down further into that mission is a return to our foundational values. For our patients: the care that they receive is not our job, it is our calling to serve in this life. We will provide that care with respect, honor, and dignity. We will find ways to build and sustain services that provide holistic opportunities to receive health and wellness support. For our employees: we will be an enriching environment to innovate and grow. This will be true for entry level employees through highly specialized providers. We will strive to be the place to work and establish a lasting practice. For our community: we will support positive movement in social determinants of health through high-quality healthcare, education, volunteerism, networking (participation and engagement), and resource sharing.
“I can promise you the same effort, dedication, and passion that you have become accustomed to in my tenure. My role as VPO has positioned me for this opportunity, and I will continue to grow under the tutelage of the board, our providers, managers, employees, and community,” he concluded.
A 2024 Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network “4 Under 40” Hospital Leadership Award winner, Brieser received his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Augustana College, his MBA from St. Ambrose University, and his DPT from Washington University in St. Louis. Brieser’s family consists of his wife, Hannah; his son, Brooks; his daughter, Maddox or “Moxie,” as she is affectionately called; and another baby on its way in September.
