January 31, 2008

New CEO to lead hospital district

By Stephen McFadden

Publisher

After interviewing two candidates, the Adams County Public Hospital District No. 2’s Board of Commissioners unanimously selected Paul W. Lewis to serve as the new chief operating officer.

Following an hour long executive session, that included consideration of the two candidates, the commissioners called Lewis and offered him the position, which he reportedly accepted.

After adjourning the executive session and returning to the open meeting, the board unanimously elected to hire Lewis, who is from Kellogg, Idaho. Commissioner Stacey Plummer made the motion and Joyce Preston provided the second.

The new chief operating officer is expected to begin his stay in Ritzville within 30 days. A specific start date has not been announced.

Since 2006, Lewis has served as the chief operating officer of Shoshone Medical Center in Kellogg. From 2004 to 2006 he was the assistant administrator for the same facility. According to his resume, Lewis began working for Shoshone Medical Center in 1996 as a medical technologist providing laboratory analysis and developing an in-house microbiology program.

By 2000 he was promoted to the position of laboratory/radiology manager. In 2001 he became the hospital’s clinical services director.

In 1993 Lewis earned a Bachelor of Science degree in medical technology with a minor in chemistry from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. He is currently completing his masters program in health policy and administration from Washington State University in Spokane. He plans to complete the program later this year.

Lewis and his wife, Kim, have five children ranging in age from three to 13. An active member of the Kellogg community, Lewis has been a member of Kiwanis, a volunteer for Boy Scouts of America and a high school booster club member. He’s also volunteered as a youth soccer coach.

Kirk Danekas, the vice-chairman of the hospital district board, noted that Lewis’ base salary will be $110,000. The board will work with the new CEO to identify future performance incentives and specific terms of his contract.

“We’re really excited about this young man,” Danekas said.

Dr. Marty Sackmann said, “It’s important to mention that this was a unanimous decision between the providers and the board.”

Dr. Valerie Eckley concurred and thanked the commissioners for involving the providers in the process. She said she appreciated the opportunity.

During the interview process, Barry Kenfield, the interim CEO and the commissioners developed a day -long process for the candidates. Interviews for each candidate were conducted on different days.

The two candidates started their day with a tour of the facilities, followed by a meeting with key members of the district staff. The interim CEO then met with each of the candidates. During a two-hour lunch period the candidates met with the doctors. After a tour of Ritzville, the candidates then sat down with hospital commissioners for their formal interview. The process concluded with a dinner event for each candidate, their spouse, the hospital commissioners and the doctors.

“I thought it went well. Both candidates did an excellent job of interviewing,” Danekas said.

Commissioner Nancy Miller said she was more than satisfied with the process and the candidate the board selected.

“We really are excited about bringing this new CEO to the community,” she said.

Joyce Preston agreed.

“He will be a great asset, not just to the facility, but to the community as well,” Preston said.

Kenfield was praised by the doctors and the commissioners for developing the interview format and guiding the group on a successful process.

In a statement Kenfield released on Tuesday on the hospital district’s Web site, he announced the hiring of the new CEO, noting it was a rigorous selection process.

“All of us at East Adams Rural Hospital wish Paul, wife Kim, and family congratulations and a warm welcome to Ritzville,” Kenfield wrote.