Kara Dondlinger named vice president of ancillary and professional services at Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital

Kara Dondlinger has been named vice president of ancillary and professional services at Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital.

Dondlinger, who joined the Jennie Edmundson leadership team on Feb. 10, most recently served as the director of operations at Bryan Health in Lincoln. She succeeds Shanna Stofer, PharmD, MHA, who was named vice president of Integrated Services for Methodist Health System in November. 

“Kara is a strong leader who is experienced in collaborating with medical staff and other leaders to identify problems and find solutions that move the organization forward,” said Dave Burd, president and CEO of Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital. “She places a high level of importance on organizational culture, employee engagement and living out our values every day.”  

Dondlinger oversees pharmacy, laboratory, imaging, oncology, rehabilitation services and quality management, including performance improvement, risk and infection prevention at Jennie Edmundson. She also has a leadership role in identifying business growth opportunities, is responsible for contractual arrangements and works closely with the provider team.

“I’m thrilled and honored to join the Jennie Edmundson team,” Dondlinger said. “I’m dedicated to continuing a strong team culture and look forward to supporting the staff, patients and families to improve the health of our western Iowa communities.”

Before joining Methodist, Dondlinger served as director of operations at Bryan Health in Lincoln since 2016. At Bryan Health, she was responsible for providing operational, financial and strategic direction as well as leadership for the multispecialty physician enterprise that consisted of over 250 providers within 17 specialties. She also supported the Bryan Physician Network board of directors. 

Prior to her work at Bryan Health, Dondlinger worked in primary care operations for CHI Health from 2009 to 2016. She was responsible for ensuring appropriate management practices and maintaining sufficient staffing levels as well as partnering with the medical director in leading initiatives associated with strategic planning and other operational directives. She also oversaw the ongoing development and training of clinic managers for primary care clinics across the Omaha metro area.

Dondlinger earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and her master’s degree in health care administration from Clarkson College. She is a member of the Medical Group Management Association, the American Medical Group Association and the American College of Healthcare Executives. She was also a 2024 Inspire Award nominee.

Dondlinger and her husband, Ted, have three sons.