Springfield, IL  (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Memorial Health has chosen its new leader. Mandy Eaton was appointed as the organization’s next president and CEO by the board of directors. Eaton will start in her new role on April 1, succeeding Ed Curtis, who is retiring after 50 years with Memorial. Curtis’ last day will be March 31.

Eaton was most recently vice president and CEO at Cone Health, a non-profit healthcare system in North Carolina. She holds a bachelor’s degree in public health and a master’s degree in healthcare administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a doctorate in leadership studies from North Carolina A&T State University.

“I’m honored to be joining Memorial Health and looking forward to getting to know the organization and the communities it serves,” Eaton said. “I’m impressed with Memorial Health’s commitment to excellence, compassion and collaboration, and am excited to build upon the strong tradition that exists at Memorial.”

Michael A. Aiello, chair of the Memorial Health Board of Directors, said, “The board was impressed with Dr. Eaton’s leadership skills, her vision for Memorial and her understanding of the important role we play in serving central Illinois.”

Aiello added, “The nationwide interest in this role shows the strong reputation Memorial has as an innovative provider of healthcare.”

Memorial Health operates hospitals in Decatur, Jacksonville, Lincoln, Springfield, and Taylorville. In addition to inpatient care, it offers outpatient services, including 14 Memorial Care clinics and Memorial Specialty Care. Memorial Health also provides home health, hospice, and behavioral health services.