The Board of Directors of Methodist Health Services Corporation, the parent organization of Methodist Medical Center of Illinois, has announced the appointment of Deborah R. (Debbie) Simon as Methodist’s President and Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately.

Simon replaces Michael Bryant, who served as Methodist’s President and CEO for 12 years.

In announcing the selection, Methodist Board Chair Karen Stumpe said, “The Board was impressed with the level of trust afforded Debbie by the employees, physicians, and our community. We’ve seen how her passion for the Methodist mission of delivering outstanding healthcare is energizing the organization, and we believe she is the right choice to lead Methodist to an even higher level of excellence.”

In response to the Board’s decision, Bill Leaver, President and CEO of Iowa Health System said, “Debbie’s experience and credentials make her an outstanding choice to lead Methodist. We welcome Debbie as her experience at Methodist has prepared her well to lead Methodist into the future.”

As of October 1, 2011, Methodist is a senior affiliate of Iowa Health System, based in Des Moines, Iowa.

Simon has been interim President and Chief Executive Officer since July 2011. With 34 years of health care leadership at Methodist, Simon has demonstrated commitment to organizational improvement, physician integration, financial stability and the enhancement of patient care. Simon, who began her nursing career with Methodist in 1976, has served as Senior Vice President, Chief Operating Officer/Chief Nursing Officer, since 1999.

A resident of Pekin, Illinois, Simon has a BSN from the University of Illinois, an MBA from Bradley University, and is a Wharton Nurse Executive Fellow and a Henry Crown Leadership Fellow from the Aspen Institute. She is actively involved in the community, having served on several Boards including the Peoria and Pekin Area Chambers of Commerce, Advanced Medical Transport, National Council of Advisors for the Bradley University Foster College of Business, United Way and St. Jude. Simon is currently a member of the CEO Roundtable and the Boards of Quality Quest for Health and PeoriaNext. She is also a member of Grace United Methodist Church. Simon and her husband, Rick, have one son, David.