(KLZA)-- The Pawnee County Memorial Hospital and Rural Health Clinic has a new Chief Executive Officer.

According to the Pawnee Republican, Ruth Stephens began her duties as CEO on January 25th.

Previously Stephens, a registered nurse, was chief nursing officer at the Crete Area Medical Center and held several positions prior to that at the Beatrice Community Hospital, having served as Clinical Manager: Obstetrics/Outpatient Surgery and Director of Acute Nursing Services.