Vista Health System Names 5th CEO in 3 Years Amid Payroll Issues, Foreclosure Concerns

WAUKEGAN, Ill. — Vista Health System has appointed its fifth CEO in just three years as the troubled Waukegan hospital system continues to grapple with payroll problems, mounting debts and foreclosure proceedings.

Daisy Rodriguez has been named CEO and Chief Nursing Officer of Vista Health System, taking over following the resignation of former CEO Kim Needham earlier this month.

Rodriguez, a registered nurse with a Master of Science in nursing, brings more than 25 years of healthcare leadership experience to the position.

Rodriguez said one of her first priorities will be listening to Vista’s employees, patients and the surrounding community, saying that understanding the hospital’s current position is essential to determining where it needs to go next.

The leadership change comes during another turbulent period for Vista Medical Center East, one of Waukegan and Lake County’s longtime healthcare providers.

Needham announced her resignation to Vista’s board and employees on August 4, calling the decision difficult and thanking employees, medical staff and leadership for their work during her tenure.

Her resignation became effective August 7. Needham, who had served as CEO since April 2025, is expected to remain involved temporarily as a contractor to assist with the transition.

The turnover continues a rapid series of leadership changes at Vista.

Before Needham, Aundrea Styles served as acting interim CEO following the departure of Kevin Spiegel, who was appointed in October 2024 and left in March 2025. Bianca Defilippi previously led the system after American Healthcare Systems purchased Vista in July 2023.

Rodriguez now becomes the fifth person to lead the hospital system in roughly three years.

Employees Report Continuing Payroll Problems

The leadership shakeup comes as employees continue raising concerns about getting paid.

Vista Medical Center East employees have reportedly experienced multiple payroll disruptions this year because of funding problems.

Employees were not paid on time during separate incidents in March and April, with the hospital attributing both delays to issues involving payroll funding.

More recently, employees reported having to physically pick up paper checks instead of receiving their normal direct deposits. As of last week, employees said the practice had continued for three consecutive weeks.

The payroll problems add to broader questions surrounding Vista’s financial stability.

Hospital Facing Foreclosure

Vista is also facing foreclosure proceedings stemming from millions of dollars in unpaid property taxes.

A company that purchased the hospital’s delinquent taxes has initiated proceedings seeking possession of the property. Discussions between Vista and the lienholder have taken place, but no settlement had been announced following the most recent court proceedings.

A court hearing in the foreclosure case is scheduled for September 11.

Vista also reportedly owes the City of Waukegan approximately $300,000 in past-due water bills, according to Waukegan 8th Ward Alderperson Dr. Lynn Florian.

The health system has additionally faced court judgments requiring payments to vendors and contractors.

Waukegan Mayor Blasts Hospital Ownership

Waukegan Mayor Sam Cunningham expressed frustration over Vista’s continuing decline, placing responsibility on its owner, American Healthcare Systems.

Cunningham described Vista Medical Center East as a critical source of healthcare and employment for Waukegan and the broader Lake County community and said its deterioration has been devastating.

The mayor said city officials, state lawmakers, regional healthcare leaders and community advocates have spent months attempting to find solutions that could keep the hospital operating.

He also sharply criticized the instability facing Vista employees, arguing that frontline healthcare workers and support staff deserve dependable compensation for their work rather than uncertainty surrounding whether their paychecks will arrive.

Cunningham said local residents similarly deserve reliable healthcare close to home.

Rodriguez now assumes leadership of Vista at one of the most consequential moments in the hospital’s recent history.

Beyond stabilizing operations, the new CEO inherits a system dealing simultaneously with employee payroll concerns, significant unpaid debts, foreclosure proceedings and growing pressure from Waukegan officials to protect a hospital that has served the community for decades.