Becker's Speaker Series: 4 questions with ProMedica CEO Randy Oostra

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Randy Oostra has been with Toledo, Ohio-based ProMedica since 1997 and has served as president and CEO since 2009.

Prior to his current position, Mr. Oostra held various other roles with ProMedica, including president and COO, vice president and corporate vice president of strategic business development. He received a doctoral degree in management from Cleveland-based Case Western Reserve University, a master's degree in healthcare administration from the University of Minnesota and a master's degree in management from the University of Wisconsin.oostra randy

On Wednesday, April 19, Mr. Oostra will speak on a panel at the Becker's Hospital Review 8th Annual Meeting. As part of an ongoing series, Becker's is talking to healthcare leaders who plan to speak at the conference, which will take place April 17 through April 20 in Chicago.

To learn more about the conference and Mr. Oostra's session, click here.

Question: What's your favorite part about being a CEO of a healthcare system?

Randy Oostra: Years ago, I made a career change. I was a consultant, but I quit my job, went back to Minnesota and started over.

Now I can't imagine doing anything else. On top of the unique nature of healthcare, I get to work for a mission-based organization with those who dedicate their lives to helping people. I have the opportunity to impact people's lives in the community and help communities improve their overall health and well-being.

Q: What is the last memorable thing you read?

RO: One thing I've been reading about is anchor institutions — organizations that are anchored in place. The concept is particularly important for healthcare. When you're anchored in place, it gives you the ability to take a long-term view of issues in the community and then attack significant problems

I've also been reading about the importance of execution, not only in an organization but also in your own individual life. It's great to talk about plans, but you've got to execute.

Q: What is one of ProMedica's goals for 2017?

RO: One of our major goals is engagement — both patient engagement and physician and staff engagement. We have so many significant changes in healthcare and tremendous pressures. But taking the time to communicate, develop and engage our entire workforce and our patients is more important than ever before.

Q: What keeps you up at night?

RO: One of the things that bothers me most is that all healthcare organizations are under significant pressure. Revenues are flat and expenses are going up. It's a difficult model to stay profitable, but we need to stay focused.

What keeps me up is this healthcare model. We can't afford it and there doesn't seem to be anything in the works that can change it. Where's the model going to be 10 years from now?

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