Rooks County Health Center Hires New CEO
The six-month nationwide search for the new Rooks County Health Center (RCH) CEO culminates this week as Michael Sinclair from Artesia, N.M. officially takes the reins. Sinclair brings with him 30 years of medical administrative experience and leadership as well as an appreciation for rural living.
“Mike was genuinely impressed by the hospital, the community and the people,” commented Kathy Ramsay, Communication Director and RN. “He has a tremendous background with regard to critical access hospitals. As he toured the facility and met with staff, you could sense he was really listening and already formulating a plan.”
Sinclair replaces interim CEO, Shirley Weisz of Garden City, who stepped in while simultaneously continuing as the proprietress of her multi-state medical consulting agency, Healthcare Quality Consulting. “We were very lucky to have had Shirley these last six months,” reflected Ramsay. “Her vast knowledge and vision to always go above and beyond made our hospital a better place. She will be missed.”
The selection process for the CEO included several interviews. According to Ramsay, an employee panel participated in the process and made their recommendation to the board of directors, who ultimately made the final decision. “It was great that the staff had input,” stated Ramsay.
Sinclair’s extensive duties as CEO include overseeing the day-to-day operations of RCH and managing its compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. Sinclair will also supervise the design, delivery and quality of the programs and services offered by the hospital as well as serve as a liaison to the community to ensure RCH is meeting the needs of Rooks County residents.
Having an affinity for small community hospitals, Sinclair was impressed with the technology at RCH. “The investments made by Rooks County Health Center are, without a doubt, something to be really proud of,” commented Sinclair.
Sinclair most recently worked for Community Hospital Corporation, which took him from Winnsboro, Texas to Artesia, N.M. Previously, he served two years as the CEO of Mountain View Hospital in Idaho Falls, Idaho, 13 years as the CEO of Kane County Hospital in Kanab, Utah and another 13 years as CEO for Brim & Associates, a small hospital management firm in Portland, Ore. Sinclair holds a Bachelor of Arts in business/hospital administration from Southwest State University in Marshall, Minn. He is also a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives.
“The industry tends to make gypsies out of you,” Sinclair said. “We are looking forward to settling down.”
Sinclair and his wife, Karen, come from agricultural backgrounds, which draws them towards living in rural communities. Although born in Minnesota and Nebraska respectively, they consider Hardin, Mont., where they met and started their family of three, to be their home. Daughter Ann is working on her master’s degree in Salem, Ore., and Christine was married this summer and lives in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Their son Nolan, 11, will be attending school in Plainville, and the Sinclairs look forward to being involved with his activities. Karen enjoys crafts, gardening and stamp collecting while Mike likes to run, bike and ride his 3-year-old Quarter Horse, FF Blue Mist (nicknamed “Fritzy”), who will be making the trip from New Mexico at a later date.