CRHL Alumni Spotlight: Jill Denker

Jill Denker, Chief Human Resources Officer of Lexington Regional Health Center (LRHC) in Lexington, Nebraska, never planned on a career in rural healthcare, but built one that’s made a lasting impact.

Born and raised in Lincoln, Nebraska, Jill never imagined living in rural Nebraska or working in Human Resources and now couldn’t imagine anywhere else she would rather be. Jill graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, with a minor in Economics. This is where she met her husband, Chris, farmer and cattle feeder, originally from Lexington. After moving to Lexington, she saw an HR role open at the hospital and decided to give it a try. She had always enjoyed working with and helping people, and the role felt like the perfect opportunity to do that while becoming more connected to the Lexington community. Today, she loves working in HR, sharing that “every day is different” and that her role allows her to “support every employee in the hospital.” “Taking care of our employees so they can take care of our patients is very rewarding,” Jill commented.

In addition to serving the hospital and the Lexington community, Jill is now making an impact on a national scale, playing an integral role in NRHA’s Rural Hospital HR Leader Certification Program since its inception. She first served as an Advisory Board member, helping to shape the Program, then participated in the second cohort earning her Certification, and later as Program Leader beginning with the 2025 Cohort. Reflecting on her experience, Jill shared how meaningful it has been to see the networking and camaraderie among participants grow. She noted that HR roles can often be demanding and challenging; the Program creates a safe space for dialogue, networking and collaboration.

With over 14 years in HR prior to participating, Jill brought a strong foundation but found particular value in strengthening her financial perspective. She shared that while HR leaders are deeply involved in areas like benefits, salaries, and FTEs, gaining a deeper understanding of budgeting, finance, and strategic planning was incredibly impactful. Jill also emphasized that “you have to know a little bit about everything” in HR, and felt the Program’s curriculum reflected that reality. In addition to the educational content, she found the breakout discussions and opportunity to work through real-world scenarios with peers especially meaningful.

When asked about success stories, Jill expressed her appreciation for being able to contribute to and witness the growth of Lexington Regional Health Center as it continues to better support its community. In her role, she has supported facility renovations and construction projects and led the interior design components of these in addition to numerous recruitment initiatives and fundraising events. She shared that LRHC is deeply committed to engaging with and giving back to the community by participating in and volunteering at community events, adding, “people have a right to choose where they get healthcare, but we are blessed they choose to get it here.” By listening to community needs and building meaningful connections, Jill believes both the hospital and the community will thrive.

When asked to share a piece of leadership advice, Jill emphasized the importance of listening. She noted that it’s not enough to simply hear others, you must listen with an open mind, without rushing to judge or respond. She also highlighted the importance of sharing “the why behind the what” whenever possible, helping to build understanding, trust, and stronger connections within an organization.