As the new CEO and president of St. Joseph's Hospital in Nashua, N.H., David Ross is taking his time stepping into his predecessor's shoes. In an interview with the Nashua Telegraph, he said a new CEO should take time to learn a hospital before making any big changes.
"I really didn't want to rush into decisions that were premature," he said. "It's presumptive. It's elitist."
Not that Mr. Ross lacks the experience to make those decisions: After six years as president of Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital in St. Peters, Mo., and experience in executive positions at a variety of hospitals in Missouri and Iowa, Mr. Ross is well aware of the challenges facing community hospitals. In the face of rising healthcare costs, he said community hospitals should increase their focus on preventative care and foster a better relationship between healthcare providers and insurers. "Healthcare, in general, is way too fragmented," he said.
As president of BJSP, Mr. Ross helped the hospital achieve national "top hospital" status for outstanding patient satisfaction by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, recognition as a top 15 percent performer nationwide and national top quartile rankings for employee satisfaction.
His impressive background helped him stand out during the 10 month interview process for St. Joseph's new president and CEO. "David's extensive healthcare background and experience make him the ideal person to lead St. Joseph Hospital in its mission to meet the healthcare needs of the greater Nashua community in the years ahead," said David Lincoln, President and CEO of Covenant Health Systems. "His strong operational and managerial skills, combined with his passion for customer service excellence and employee engagement made him the clear choice."
After graduation from college, Mr. Ross spent a few years working as a lawyer before he decided that healthcare administration was more in line with his interests. By age 29, he was running 42-bed Ellsworth Municipal Hospital in Iowa Falls. Mr. Ross received his master's in health administration and his JD from Washington University in St. Louis, Mo.
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"I really didn't want to rush into decisions that were premature," he said. "It's presumptive. It's elitist."
Not that Mr. Ross lacks the experience to make those decisions: After six years as president of Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital in St. Peters, Mo., and experience in executive positions at a variety of hospitals in Missouri and Iowa, Mr. Ross is well aware of the challenges facing community hospitals. In the face of rising healthcare costs, he said community hospitals should increase their focus on preventative care and foster a better relationship between healthcare providers and insurers. "Healthcare, in general, is way too fragmented," he said.
As president of BJSP, Mr. Ross helped the hospital achieve national "top hospital" status for outstanding patient satisfaction by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, recognition as a top 15 percent performer nationwide and national top quartile rankings for employee satisfaction.
His impressive background helped him stand out during the 10 month interview process for St. Joseph's new president and CEO. "David's extensive healthcare background and experience make him the ideal person to lead St. Joseph Hospital in its mission to meet the healthcare needs of the greater Nashua community in the years ahead," said David Lincoln, President and CEO of Covenant Health Systems. "His strong operational and managerial skills, combined with his passion for customer service excellence and employee engagement made him the clear choice."
After graduation from college, Mr. Ross spent a few years working as a lawyer before he decided that healthcare administration was more in line with his interests. By age 29, he was running 42-bed Ellsworth Municipal Hospital in Iowa Falls. Mr. Ross received his master's in health administration and his JD from Washington University in St. Louis, Mo.
Read more recent coverage on notable hospital leaders.
-Hospital Industry Leader to Know: Kevin Dahill, New CEO of Northern Metropolitan Hospital Association
-Hospital Industry Leader to Know: Todd Ebert, CEO of Amerinet