New CEO plans for healthy changes

Talk about it

After five weeks as St. Joseph’s Hospital and Health Center’s president and chief executive officer, Reed Reyman said he’s focused on unity and efficiency.

Reyman replaces Carolyn Riley who has been acting as interim president and CEO since Claudia Eisenmann resigned in late November.

“One of the reasons I believe I was hired is I came in with my eyes wide open and I know there are a lot of opportunities,” Reyman said. “If you look at the community, there are a lot of strong independent businesses and it’s very progressive.

“It’s interesting to see how everything else seems to be doing quite well even how things are now. There’s a huge opportunity for the hospital to do the same thing.”

Some decisions made in the past may have not been the most beneficial for the hospital or for the community, Reyman said.

“The hospital, the way the hospital is seen in the community, all needs a culture change and we’ve implemented that from day one,” he said.

Reyman was ready to go to work on day one, said Dennis Cannon, hospital director of marketing.

“He took some time to ask lots of people lots of great questions, took that information and implemented some much-needed positive change almost instantly,” Cannon said. “He is a leader by example.”

Prior to the position, Reyman was the CEO of Prairie Community Hospital in Terry, Mont., a 21-bed Critical Access Hospital with a $2.5 million revenue budget, according to St. Joseph’s information.

After receiving an educational specialist degree in school psychology and a master’s degree in special education from Idaho State University, Reyman also received a bachelor of science and education from Black Hills State University in Spearfish, S.D.

Reyman has taken account of all the hospital’s staff, sending out surveys within his first five weeks to get a grasp on what the staff needs and the strengths and needs of the hospital.

“Unfortunately, when a hospital hits hard financial times, that seems to be where everyone concentrates and where the communication comes out and people lose sight of things we do well,” Reyman said.

He’ll be looking at expanding services, not downsizing.

“Southwest North Dakota has a strong presence in healthcare,” Reyman said. “We have excellent facilities.”

Eventually, a thorough strategic plan will be made for the hospital.

Reyman’s two children both attended Dickinson State University making him familiar with the area.

“My wife and I really enjoy the community and wanted to be a part of it,” Reyman said.

Reyman encourages anyone to contact him with concerns or questions at 701-456-4271.

Tags: hospital, dickinson, business