HealthLinc, a federally qualified health center in northern Indiana, announced the appointment of Melissa Mitchell as the new chief executive officer beginning January 1, 2024. Melissa has been with HealthLinc since 2008 and replaces Beth Wrobel, who is retiring after serving as CEO for the past 22 years.

“Melissa will make an outstanding CEO,” states Wrobel. “She has a deep understanding of health center operations, a wealth of experience in the FQHC space and the support of the board of directors and the staff.”

Melissa started her career with HealthLinc 15 years ago, working her way up through the ranks, including chief information officer and chief operating officer. Two years ago, her role was expanded to chief innovation and strategy officer during a restructuring of leadership due to enormous growth in the organization.

Melissa is a native of Indiana with a bachelor’s in telecommunications and a master’s in management and leadership. She graduated from the Johnson & Johnson Health Care Executive Program at UCLA and has her Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification. In addition, Melissa sits on several boards and committees, including Chair for the National Association of Community Health Centers Greenway Intergy User Group and board member for the Ivy Tech South Bend Campus Computer Informatics Program.

Melissa lives in her hometown of Knox with Jim, her husband of 18 years, and their three children. She is a member of Victory Christian Church in Knox and is active in the Starke County community.

“I want to thank Beth for her leadership and am grateful for the chance to continue the legacy of creating healthy communities by providing high-quality health care for everyone, regardless of ability to pay,” says Mitchell. “Our future is remarkably bright, full of limitless opportunities and success due to our unwavering dedication to innovation and excellence.”

The exhaustive and nationwide search for a new CEO began in March when the HealthLinc Board of Directors contracted with The Meyers Group, an executive search firm headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, specializing in placing “c” level executives in the healthcare space.

For more information on HealthLinc, contact Jodie Wexelberg at jwexelberg@healthlincchc.org.