CEO/ADMINISTRATOR

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About the Opportunity

 

Ellinwood Hospital & Clinic, a 17-bed critical access hospital proudly serving Central Kansas for over 70 years, is seeking a visionary Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead our organization into an exciting new era of growth and innovation. With the opening of our state-of-the-art facility in July 2024, this is an exceptional opportunity for an experienced healthcare leader to guide a modern, thriving hospital system that blends advanced technology with the compassionate touch of small-town care.

Our brand-new hospital features two large surgical suites equipped with top-of-the-line Steris systems, an expanded Physical and Respiratory Therapy department, and same-day outpatient surgical services. We’ve also enhanced our specialty clinic offerings, providing access to Urology, Pain Management, Endoscopy, Imaging, Laboratory, and Therapy Services, with plans for further growth including wound care and expanded specialty programs.

As CEO, you’ll guide an exceptional team of healthcare professionals and work alongside a supportive Board and senior management group to drive growth, community health initiatives, and operational excellence. This role is ideal for a dynamic leader ready to make a lasting impact in rural healthcare.

Position Summary

 

The Chief Executive Officer serves as the senior executive leader of Ellinwood Hospital & Clinic (“Hospital”), providing strategic leadership, financial oversight, and operational direction. The CEO works closely with the Board of Directors and the Leadership Team to set the hospital’s mission, vision, and strategic goals—ensuring the delivery of exceptional patient-centered care while maintaining strong financial and operational performance.

This role reports jointly to the Great Plains Health Alliance (GPHA) Regional Vice President and the Ellinwood Hospital District Board of Directors.

Key Responsibilities

 

• Quality and Patient Safety: Ensure that quality and patient safety remain top priorities throughout the organization, with resources allocated appropriately to deliver high-quality, patient-centered care.
• Financial Leadership: Set the tone for fiscal responsibility and balance, ensuring financial health that supports the organization’s mission and long-term sustainability.
• Medical Staff Relations: Foster open communication and collaborative relationships with physicians and medical providers to promote a unified vision and high standards of care.
• Community Health and Partnerships: Work closely with community leaders to identify health needs and develop programs and services that effectively address them.
• Strategic Development: Lead the creation, communication, and execution of strategic initiatives aligned with the hospital’s mission, vision, and values.
• Board Relations: Maintain strong, transparent relationships with the governing Boards, providing education, guidance, and support to ensure effective governance.
• Leadership and Culture: Create a culture that attracts, retains, motivates, and develops a highly skilled and mission-driven workforce.
• Leadership Team Relations and Development: Build trust and teamwork among senior leaders, supporting their professional growth and encouraging collaboration across departments.
• Advocacy and Fundraising: Represent and promote the hospital’s mission and image to government agencies, accrediting bodies, donors, media, and the public.
• Serves as a Change Agent: Embrace transformation within healthcare delivery and financing, fostering innovative thinking and adaptive strategies.
• Risk-Taking and Problem-Solving: Stay attuned to shifts and trends in healthcare, politics, technology, and society to proactively identify challenges and solutions.
• Continuous Leadership Improvement: Commit to personal and professional growth to enhance leadership effectiveness and organizational performance.
• Systems Thinking: Cultivate a unified vision and culture that integrates departments and initiatives across the organization.
• Partnership Focus: Build and strengthen partnerships that advance the hospital’s mission and improve overall community health.
• Communication: Maintain open, respectful communication channels across all levels of the organization, fostering transparency and collaboration.
• Ethics: Exhibit fairness, honesty, and compassion in all decisions, combining strong moral judgment with technical and management expertise.
• Additional Duties: Perform other responsibilities as requested by the Boards to support the ongoing success of the organization.

 

 

Qualifications

 

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Management, Finance, Hospital Administration, or a related field required. Master’s degree in Hospital or Business Administration, or another healthcare-related field, preferred.
• Experience: Minimum of five (5) years in hospital operations or executive leadership, preferably within a critical access and/or rural hospital environment. At least three (3) years of experience managing multiple hospital departments with extensive professional and technical knowledge of healthcare delivery systems.
• Knowledge: Strong understanding of marketing, finance, quality, change management, and risk assessment.
• Interpersonal Skills: Proven ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with management, physicians, employees, community leaders, business partners, and government officials.
• Medical Staff & Board Relations: Demonstrated expertise in fostering strong relationships with medical staff and governing boards.
• Leadership & Strategy: Skilled in strategic and financial planning, leadership development, and organizational communication.
• Problem Solving: Proficient in negotiation, conflict resolution, and identifying and addressing personnel or operational issues.
• Operational Management: Ability to direct and harmonize the diverse functions of a rural healthcare organization, ensuring efficient and effective operations.
• Organizational Skills: Adept at planning, executing, controlling, and evaluating programs across multiple hospital departments.
• Physician Recruitment: Demonstrated success in implementing physician recruitment strategies and initiatives.
• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present complex ideas clearly.
• Team Building: Skilled in fostering collaboration and achieving consensus among diverse healthcare professionals, hospital staff, and community stakeholders.
• Multitasking: Capable of managing multiple projects and priorities effectively while maintaining a high level of service and professionalism.
• Diversity Awareness: Committed to respecting diversity, equity, and individual needs in all aspects of leadership and patient care.

 

About Ellinwood Hospital & Clinic

 

Welcome to the new Ellinwood Hospital & Clinic— Located in Ellinwood, Kansas, just minutes from Great Bend, our new facility represents the future of rural healthcare. The hospital includes two large surgical suites with top-of-the-line Steris equipment, an expanded therapy department, advanced imaging and lab services, and a busy Emergency Department providing 24/7 care.

We offer a comprehensive range of services, including:

• Emergency Room & Walk-In Clinic
• Family Care & Direct Access Lab
• Imaging & Endoscopy
• Surgery & Same-Day Outpatient Procedures
• Physical, Occupational, Speech & Respiratory Therapy
• Specialty Care including Urology & Pain Management
• Swing Bed Services & Transitional Care
Our team of 3 Physicians and 4 APRNs provides compassionate, patient-centered care in a close-knit, family-oriented environment. As our new CEO, you’ll help shape our next chapter of innovation and service expansion.

About Ellinwood, Kansas

 

Ellinwood is a charming community in Central Kansas known for its small-town warmth, excellent schools, and friendly atmosphere. Located just 10 miles from Great Bend, residents enjoy easy access to shopping, dining, and outdoor recreation, including Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area and Quivira National Wildlife Refuge.
It’s a place where life moves at a comfortable pace, neighbors look out for one another, and you can truly make a difference. Here, you’ll find not just a career—but a community and a home.

Why Join Us

 

• Brand-new, state-of-the-art hospital facility with advanced equipment and growth potential.
• Supportive and collaborative Board with a forward-thinking leadership team.
• Strong community roots with opportunities for expansion and innovation.
• A chance to lead a thriving, growing rural healthcare organization in a welcoming community.

Apply today to lead Ellinwood Hospital & Clinic into the future of healthcare.
Visit www.ellinwooddistricthospital.org to learn more.

Ellinwood Hospital & Clinic — Treating your family like our family.

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Please email cover letter and resume to crobl@gpoe.org