Jo Ann Emerson moved to a Washington hospital

Former U.S. representative Jo Ann Emerson continues to recover from a brain hemorrhage at an American hospital, according to the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.

Emerson, who is CEO of NRECA, became ill in August during a family trip to Italy and was treated there until being transported Sept. 3 to a hospital in the Washington, D.C., area.

She is in stable condition, according to ect.coop, and underwent surgery while in Italy.

Emerson, who married future U.S. representative Bill Emerson of Cape Girardeau in 1975, served as congresswoman from 1996 to 2013.

In 2013, she took the helm at the cooperative association based in Arlington, Virginia.

At a Sept. 15 meeting in Minneapolis, the NRECA board released a statement, saying it will designate an interim CEO as Emerson recuperates.

"We look forward to Jo Ann's restored health, and we hope for her decision to return to work in the future," according to the statement on the cooperative's website.

A Facebook page called Notes to Jo Ann (facebook.com/notestojoann) has been set up for well-wishers. Anyone else who wishes to express support is encouraged to send get-well cards to CEO Office/NRECA, 4301 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22203.