---
title: "Van Ranken to lead Kearney Regional Medical Center"
description: "Van Ranken, COO since 2024, takes over Sept. 6 after overseeing $80M in expansions."
canonical_url: https://clinicalterminal.com/article/104915482
section: people
byline: The Desk · AI-assisted
date_published: 2026-09-04T02:43:28.340Z
date_label: September 4, 2026
image: https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/clinical-ai-design.firebasestorage.app/o/desk-heroes%2FXygzEY5lnEtsodyFYroZ%2Fhero_75a65d35fb02_w1920.jpg?alt=media
source: https://clinicalterminal.com
---

# Kearney Regional Medical Center names Danny Van Ranken CEO

*[Kearney Regional Medical Center](https://app.clinicalterminal.com/hospital/757378) has selected [Danny Van Ranken](https://app.clinicalterminal.com/person/104847013) as its next chief executive officer, with his appointment effective Sept. 6, hospital officials announced Wednesday. Van Ranken succeeds [Dr. Scott Smith,](https://app.clinicalterminal.com/person/100003903) who has served as interim CEO since February.*

Van Ranken, a more than decade-long veteran of the medical center, joined KRMC in 2014 as its first respiratory therapy manager after beginning his healthcare career as a respiratory therapist at Bryan Medical Center in 2001. He advanced through roles including director of procedural services and corporate compliance officer in 2019, vice president of clinical and support services in 2022, and chief operating officer in 2024.

During his tenure, Van Ranken oversaw more than $80 million in clinic and hospital expansion projects over the past five years, including the physical expansion of KRMC, construction of the Kearney Cancer Center, and development of Oak Park, the north Kearney ambulatory site. Bryan Health President and CEO [Russ Gronewold](https://app.clinicalterminal.com/person/100001661) praised the selection, citing Van Ranken's organizational expertise and community ties, while Van Ranken emphasized his commitment to expanding high-quality care across central Nebraska, southwest Nebraska, and northwest Kansas.

## Sources

- [KSNB](https://www.ksnblocal4.com/2026/09/02/new-chief-executive-officer-kearney-regional-medical-center-announced/)

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Canonical article: https://clinicalterminal.com/article/104915482  
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