Anthony Coleman has resigned his position as president and CEO of Broadlawns Medical Center in Des Monies after less than two years in the role.

The medical system’s board of trustees announced in a news release that it had received and accepted Coleman’s resignation. 

Emily Toribio, assistant director of marketing, communications and foundation at Broadlawns, said in a follow-up email that the board accepted Coleman’s resignation today. 

The release and Broadlawns officials did not provide a reason for Coleman’s departure.

The board has named acting Chief Medical Officer Dr. Jason Kruse as interim CEO, according to the release. 

Broadlawns’ statement did not give a reason for Coleman’s resignation. 

Coleman assumed his CEO responsibilities on Dec. 6, 2021. According to the release, he oversaw the completion of “several significant projects,” including the construction of a community clinic near the Drake University campus, the expansion of Broadlawns’ obstetrics department and the renovation of its pediatrics clinic. 

“We appreciate Dr. Coleman’s contributions to Broadlawns during his time in Des Moines and wish him well in the next chapter of his career,” Broadlawns Board of Trustees Chairperson Dave Miglin said in the release.

Coleman’s interim replacement, Kruse, has practiced internal medicine at Broadlawns for nearly 10 years, according to the medical system.

“The board appreciates Dr. Kruse’s commitment to twice answering the call to serve in a leadership role at Broadlawns,” the release says.

The board plans to initiate a national search for a new president and CEO, according to the release, but Broadlaws did not immediately provide a timeline for when it hopes to have a permanent chief executive in place.

“At this time, we are still formalizing the plan, and will be in touch when we have further information,” Toribio said in the email. 

“The board is confident in the Broadlawns Executive Leadership Team and their passion for and commitment to Broadlawns and its patients,” the release says. “With existing leadership from this Team, continued stewardship by the Board of Trustees, and the support of its dedicated staff of over 1,200 employees, Broadlawns remains poised to continue providing high quality, accessible health care to the people of Polk County during this time of transition.”

The Broadlawns board of trustees voted in September 2021 to extend Coleman a contract offer that was effective in December 2021. It was expected to run through June 30, 2025. 

Coleman’s initial annual salary was $550,000. His contract included a $100,000 annual bonus opportunity if he met performance metrics set by the board that began in July 2022, according to a news release at the time of his hire. 

Before coming to Broadlawns, Polk County’s nonprofit safety net hospital, the 44-year-old was vice president of operations and assistant hospital administrator for Kaiser Permanente’s largest health region in San Bernardino, Calif. He began his career in health care administration with the U.S. Navy. He retired from the service after 20 years in 2016. 

He replaced 15-year Broadlawns President and CEO Jody Jenner, who retired in April 2021.

Broadlawns previously had financial challenges and at one point was near bankruptcy, according to Coleman. He told the Business Record in March 2022 that Jenner had brought the hospital system back to being “strong financially.”  

Coleman’s departure follows the announcement in July that Renee Hardman, then-vice president of human resources and chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer at Broadlawns, was leaving her position.

Broadlawns’ 1,200 employees includes 100 physicians.