By BBGH
Seasoned healthcare leader brings 20 years of experience and a passion for rural healthcare to BBGH
Box Butte General Hospital (BBGH) is pleased to announce the appointment of Gabriel Behling, MHA, as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective June 4, 2026. Behling brings twenty years of leadership experience across the healthcare and energy sectors and a deep commitment to advancing rural healthcare access.
Leadership Transition
This appointment follows a period of thoughtful leadership transition at BBGH. During the interim period, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Brian Shelmadine stepped in as Interim CEO in June of 2025, providing steady and capable leadership through the transition. The Board of Trustees extends its sincere appreciation to Dr. Shelmadine for his service in that role. “Dr. Shelmadine’s professionalism and commitment to our patients and staff helped ensure stability for the organization, and we are grateful for his service in that role,” said Barb Straub, member of the BBGH Board of Trustees.
About Gabriel Behling
Born and raised in the rural canyonlands of Utah, Behling earned a Bachelor of Science in Health Services Administration from Weber State University and launched his healthcare career at Intermountain Healthcare. After seven years, he relocated to eastern Utah to be closer to family and transitioned into the energy sector, where he spent nine years leading teams and large-scale projects.
Driven by an enduring passion for rural healthcare, Behling and his family made the move to Nebraska to re-enter the field. He joined Great Plains Health as Director of Support Services while simultaneously earning a Master of Healthcare Administration from the University of Minnesota. BBGH’s mission and rural care model aligned strongly with his dedication to expanding access to healthcare for small and rural communities.
In his role as Chief Operating Officer since 2024, Behling has demonstrated broad operational leadership, overseeing departments including environmental services, plant operations, nutrition, laboratory, diagnostic imaging, childcare services, materials management, information technology systems, safety, pharmacy, rehabilitation, and organizational development.
A Strong Senior Leadership Team
Behling is quick to credit the exceptional team around him as a cornerstone of BBGH’s continued strength. He is joined in senior leadership by Kim Morrow, Chief Financial Officer, Erica Lauder, Chief Nursing Officer, and Dr. Brian Shelmadine, Chief Medical Officer. These accomplished leaders’ expertise and dedication have been instrumental in guiding the organization.
“I could not be more proud to step into this role alongside leaders like Kim, Erica, and Brian. Kim’s financial stewardship gives us the stability to plan boldly for the future, and Erica’s commitment to nursing excellence and compassionate patient care sets the tone for everything we do at the bedside. Brian has been an exceptional physician whose insight and judgment have earned the trust of our medical staff and the entire organization. Together, I believe we bring complementary strengths that will move BBGH forward in meaningful ways. I am genuinely excited about what we will accomplish as a team and even more excited about what that will mean for the patients and families we serve,” said Behling.
Pride in BBGH’s People and Departments
Behling is equally enthusiastic about the dedication shown by the organization’s broader workforce, spanning clinical, operational, and support departments. “Every single day, I watch our teams show up for this community with skill, heart, and an unwavering commitment to doing right by our patients. From our nurses and physicians to our lab technicians, imaging staff, therapists, support staff, and every department in between, the work being done here is extraordinary. I am deeply proud of each and every one of them. It is their dedication that makes Box Butte General Hospital what it is, and it is their continued excellence that will carry us into a very bright future.”
Recent Accreditations and Accomplishments
BBGH continues to demonstrate its commitment to quality and patient safety through a series of significant accreditations and achievements. Just this year, BBGH earned accreditation from DNV (Det Norske Veritas), a rigorous, evidence-based certification that validates the hospital’s commitment to safety, quality, and continuous improvement. BBGH’s sleep study laboratory received formal accreditation from ACHC (Accreditation Commission for Health Care) and BBGH’s laboratory has maintained its accreditation through COLA (Commission on Office Laboratory Accreditation). Each achievement reflects the hospital’s ongoing dedication to accuracy, reliability, and excellence in patient care.
Recent Developments and Investments
In addition to these accreditations, BBGH has continued to invest in its facilities, services, and community partnerships to better serve the region. BBGH has entered into a new partnership with Casper Medical Imaging (CMI) to promote and enhance the diagnostic imaging program, supporting continued upgrades and expanded imaging services for patients throughout the region. The pediatric gym has been renovated to create a state-of-the-art therapy environment, ensuring BBGH can continue to offer the very best care for children receiving pediatric rehabilitation and therapy services. Under Behling’s leadership, the hospital has undertaken numerous facility-wide upgrades and security improvements, reinforcing its commitment to providing a safe, modern, and welcoming environment for patients, families, and staff.
The Board’s Commitment to BBGH and Rural Healthcare
The BBGH Board of Trustees expressed its unwavering confidence in Behling’s leadership and reaffirmed the organization’s long-standing dedication to the communities it serves. “The Board of Trustees has full confidence in Gabe’s vision and leadership. BBGH has served Alliance and the surrounding region for generations, and we are committed to ensuring that every family continues to have access to exceptional, compassionate care close to home. Gabe and his team will continue to fulfill the hospital’s vision to be the greatest place to work, to practice medicine, and to receive care,” said Straub.
Behling’s Commitment to BBGH and the Community
When asked what drives him as he steps into this new chapter, Behling did not hesitate. “Rural healthcare is not just a career path for me—it is a calling. I grew up in a small community, and I know firsthand what it means to have a hospital that truly shows up for the people around it. Alliance and the surrounding communities deserve nothing less than exceptional care, and that is exactly what we are here to provide. BBGH has an incredible history, a talented and dedicated workforce, and a community that believes in what we do. I am honored to lead this organization, and I am fully committed to this hospital, to every patient who walks through our doors, and to the long-term health and well-being of everyone in Box Butte County and beyond. We are just getting started, and I could not be more optimistic about the road ahead.”
Box Butte General Hospital is the successor of St. Joseph Hospital, serving the healthcare needs of Box Butte County and the surrounding area since 1976. Box Butte General Hospital is accredited by DNV, a global independent certification, assurance, and risk management provider, operating in more than 100 countries. BBGH is a non-profit, Critical Access Hospital with 25-beds for all patient types- acute, observation, swing bed, etc.- with a staff of over 300 employees providing a variety of services. Box Butte General Hospital is an equal opportunity provider and employer.