BCH board finds executive officers right here at home

June 3, 2022

April Bennett

The Boundary Community Hospital Board is pleased to announce that BCH has hired April Bennett, RN, to succeed Preston Becker as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of our hospital. In addition to April, Dennis Dinning will be joining the executive team as the Chief Operating Officer (COO).

Bennett is a Bonners Ferry native. She earned her RN degree from North Idaho College of Nursing and has worked in a hospital setting for the past 15 years. April has more than nine years’ experience in hospital management and nursing administration. She served as Director of Surgery at Bonner General Health from 2013 to 2019, where she was awarded with the employee of the year award in 2016.

April has been at Boundary Community Hospital for the past three years in the surgical services manager role. During this time she has worked directly with executive leadership, surgeons, anesthesia, core staff and ancillary staff to create a productive surgical department.

Dennis Dinning

April has a solid educational foundation and a passion for healthcare administration, completing her Master’s Degree of Nursing in Healthcare Management and Administrative Leadership in 2020. April will be working with outgoing CEO Preston Becker throughout the month of June to ensure a smooth transition.

Also a native of our community, Dinning, holds a Master’s Degree in Public and Health Care Administration and an advanced certificate in grant writing. Dennis’s work experience includes managing several successful chain drug stores and serving as a regional customer account manager of Frito Lay. At Frito Lay, Dennis managed accounts and budgets for 12 chains with a combined 800 stores in 6 states.

During his tenure with Frito Lay Dennis received multiple sales awards; however, he says his greatest accomplishment was being awarded the Pacific NW Courageous Leadership Award for his work leading the Regional Food Drive, where over a million cans of food were collected to assist people experiencing food insecurities.

Dennis currently serves on both BCH hospital board and the Fry Foundation Board. He has led the fundraising for a new 3D mammogram, started the Annual Cornhole Tournament that has raised funds for the mammogram, ER crash carts, procedure tables, and recently a new ultrasound wound management device. He also managed the procurement and eventual placement of a new BCH ER and reader board sign. Dennis is eager to join BCH on June 13.

We are saddened to lose outgoing CEO Preston Becker, he has been instrumental in guiding BCH through the COVID pandemic. We wish him and his family well as they return home and embark on their future endeavors.