MURRAY, KY – Murray-Calloway County Hospital (MCCH) is proud to announce the appointment of Reba Celsor, RN, MBA, FACHE, as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective April 28, 2025. Celsor brings over 35+ years of leadership experience in the healthcare industry, and 19 years of executive level leadership experience. She has a proven record of accomplishment in driving excellence in patient care, innovation, and operational performance. She will replace Jerry Penner, who is retiring after 14 years of serving as the Chief Executive Officer at MCCH.

“We are thrilled to welcome Celsor to Murray-Calloway County Hospital. Her leadership, vision and dedication to patient-centered care align perfectly with our mission of delivering exceptional healthcare to our community,” said Steve Owens, MCCH Board Chair.”

“I am so proud of the extraordinary effort by the Board of Trustees over the past several months as they judiciously deliberated over this decision. Leadership, guidance, and direction provided by Amy Futrell, Chair of the CEO Search Committee, and Steve Owens, Chair, Board of Trustees was critically important in keeping everyone focused on the endpoint. Their goal from the outset was centered on evaluating a host of exceptional CEO candidates to find the right healthcare professional and community fit to lead our hospital. I am supremely confident they selected the right leader in Reba Celsor,” said Jerry Penner, CEO.

Celsor joins Murray-Calloway County Hospital from Spring View Hospital in Lebanon, KY, where she served as Chief Executive Officer to lead initiatives that resulted in growth of 13 additional providers, designation as a LifePoint Health National Quality leader, Leap Frog A rating, and a CMS 4-star rating in Patient Satisfaction and Quality. Prior to her time at Spring View, Reba served as the Chief Executive Officer for five years at West Tennessee Healthcare Dyersburg Hospital where she expanded services, improved financial standing, and enhanced hospital safety overall. With a strong focus on physician collaboration, employee relations, and a culture of safety and quality care, she will oversee the strategic direction and day-to-day operations of MCCH.

Besides running hospitals, Celsor immerses herself in her communities.  She completed Leadership Lebanon in 2021, she served as Chairperson of the Marion County Lebanon Chamber of Commerce from 2022-24, Marion County Lebanon Rotary Club President 2022-23, member of the Economic Development and Industrial Foundation Board 2022-24, Region 3 American Hospital Association Policy Board member, Crown Recovery Adult Recovery Center Board member in Springfield, Kentucky, and is a current member of the Kentucky Hospital Association Board of Trustees.  Celsor also is an active member of the Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church.  Celsor was equally active with her former community leading to her selection as Dyersburg Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Woman of the Year.

A graduate of LifePoint’s CEO Leadership Development Program, Celsor has been a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives since 2016. She earned her Master of Business Administration from Colorado Technical University. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Trevecca Nazarene University and a nursing degree from Hopkinsville Community College.

“I am honored and excited to join the Murray-Calloway County Hospital team, an organization known for its commitment to providing high quality service and patient safety while delivering compassionate, cost-effective, outcome-based care,” said Celsor. “I look forward to working with the talented team at MCCH to continue advancing our mission. I have always believed that healthcare is a calling and that is the source that drives my energy and passion for serving others. My professional path in healthcare has been blessed, as I have gained tremendous insight while progressing from a bedside Registered Nurse, Nursing Director, Corporate Clinical Director, Chief Nursing Officer, Chief Operating Officer and then Chief Executive Officer. Regardless of my role, I am committed to remaining patient centered, whether personally serving one patient, or planning for services that will meet the healthcare needs of an entire community.”

Reba and her husband James have four grown children between them, a daughter and son in Southwestern Kentucky and two sons in South Carolina. They are also blessed with eight joyous grandchildren. She and her family are very familiar with the local area and have a family farm in Russellville, KY. They have spent many family summers boating on beautiful Kentucky Lake and horseback riding at Wrangler Camp.

For more information, contact Melony Bray, Director of Planning & Marketing, at 270.762.1381.