UP Health System market CEO Tonya Darner to step down Sept. 18
Tonya Darner will step down as market CEO of UP Health System-Marquette and UP Health System-Bell in Michigan, effective Sept. 18, according to an Aug. 25 report from NBC affiliate WLUC. The system said it is "actively working with hospital and division leadership to finalize interim leadership plans and ensure continuity throughout the transition."
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 to cover 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. The market CEO role reflects a broader industry trend of expanding single-hospital CEO positions to cover multiple facilities, the report noted.
- Org
- UP Health System - Marquette, part of Lifepoint Health (87 hospitals)
- GPO
- HealthTrust Purchasing Group (HPG)
- Medicare
- Wisconsin Physicians Service Government Health Administrators (MAC)
- Status
- 163 beds
- Tonya DarnerChief Executive Officer, UP Health System – Marquette and UP Health System – Bell
- Ryan HeinonenChief Executive Officer, UP Health System – Portage
- Gar AtchisonPresident and Chief Executive Officer
- Stefanie StromActivities Director