DIXON – Jackie Kernan, MSN, RN, will become president of OSF HealthCare Saint Katharine Medical Center (formerly KSB) as of January 1, 2025, when OSF HealthCare begins operations at the Dixon hospital. 

Kernan is the president of OSF HealthCare Saint Clare Medical Center in Princeton and OSF HealthCare Saint Luke Medical Center in Kewanee. She will continue to serve as interim president of those hospitals until a new president has been named. 

Kernan will lead OSF Saint Katharine in aligning with the overall strategy of OSF HealthCare. She will be responsible for directing all internal operations while continuing to ensure that high quality and cost-effective health care is delivered to all patients. Kernan played an active role in the integration of Kewanee Hospital into the OSF Ministry and was integral in the former Perry Memorial integration in Princeton.

“Jackie has been a trusted and respected leader for the communities of Princeton and Kewanee, and I know she will do the same for the Sauk Valley communities,” says AJ Querciagrossa, CEO of the Western Region for OSF HealthCare. 

Kernan earned her Bachelor of Science in nursing from the University of St. Francis and her Master of Science in nursing management leadership from the Saint Francis College of Nursing.

Additionally, Drew Fenner has accepted the position of vice president of Operations and Special Projects for OSF Saint Katharine. He most recently served as vice president and chief quality officer for Katharine Shaw Bethea.

KSB Hospital agreed to become part of OSF HealthCare earlier this year. The hospital will be renamed OSF HealthCare Saint Katharine Medical Center, after the Catholic Saint Katharine Drexel. OSF Saint Katharine becomes the 17th hospital in the OSF HealthCare Ministry.