President/Ceo

About Us

Opelousas General Health System is a community not for profit health system governed by a local board of trustees. OGHS is comprised of two hospital campuses and 15 plus WellSmart Health primary care and specialty clinics throughout St. Landry, Lafayette, and Acadia parishes. Our primary service area covers 3-4 parishes with over 100,000 lives. We currently employ more than 50 providers including General Surgery, Anesthesiology, Neurology, Nephrology, Family Medicine, Pulmonary Critical Care, Internal Medicine, Rheumatology, Orthopedics, and Pain Management. We have the latest in Robotic Technology including DaVinci, MAKO and Excelsius GPS.

Since 1957, Opelousas General Health System has been dedicated to providing quality health care through its strong commitment and high standards. Central to the success of OGHS's commitment for excellence is the presence of an outstanding and highly qualified staff of medical providers who deliver professional treatment in a caring environment. Serving as the region's referral medical center, OGHS is the area's most comprehensive community health care facility offering a wide range of medical specialties/subspecialties and state-of-the-art technology available. We were designated as Acadiana's first "Baby Friendly" facility since 2015.

Recently, we have partnered with Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center to provide comprehensive Cancer Care. We are dedicated to expand and enhance cancer care resources in our service area providing patients convenient access to Louisiana’s largest team of cancer specialists through Mary Bird Perkins.

OGHS is a 181-bed full service medical center as complete and as inclusive as any referral hospital in the state. The Main Campus, South Campus, and Sunset Campus facilities are in St. Landry Parish. OGHS is the second largest employer in Opelousas with 1,000 employees.

Mission: Our Family Caring for Yours Vision: Exceeding your Expectations

Ownership: Governmental

Operating Revenue: $186M

Employees: 1,000

Beds: 181

Year Founded: 1957

Hospital Location: Opelousas, Louisiana

Website: https://www.opelousasgeneral.com

President and Chief Executive Officer Position Summary

The President and Chief Executive Officer at Opelousas General Health System is one of the most prestigious and visible leadership roles in rural community healthcare in the U.S. The Opelousas General Health System is recognized nationally as one of the top community hospitals in the country. Under a combination of administrative and executive direction, The President and Chief Executive Officer directs the overall operation of the health system consistent with policies and objectives of the Governing Board.

The next President and Chief Executive Officer of Opelousas General Health System will have the opportunity to lead an outstanding community healthcare organization known for high quality care, talented and committed physicians and clinicians, a highly engaged workforce, solid financial performance, and a strong culture of patient- and family-centered care. This CEO will serve as the strategic leader of Opelousas General Health System ensuring the continuation of the commitment to the primary and secondary service areas, outstanding culture, and service quality of the organization. Additionally, the CEO will be a visible leader in the St. Landry community and an advocate for rural community healthcare.

Goals & Objectives

During the first 12-18 months, the new President/CEO will be expected to make significant progress in achieving the following goals and objectives:

• Be a visible and engaged leader. The CEO should establish personal and professional credibility with the Board of Trustees, the medical staff, the senior leadership team, the staff, and other key stakeholders by maintaining visibility, transparency, collaboration, and communication. Additionally, the CEO should be an advocate for Opelousas General Health System and an active and visible leader in the service area.

• Develop and deploy a progressive strategic plan. As the healthcare industry continues to evolve, it is important for Opelousas General Health System to have a clear strategic direction. In collaboration with the Board of Trustees and the senior leadership team, the CEO shall assess the current strategies, identify new strategic opportunities, and lead the implementation of the plan across the organization.

• Lead a highly effective senior leadership team. The CEO will ensure that the leadership team is organized for maximum impact and performance and that an effective succession plan is in place for the organization’s leaders.

• Ensure strong financial performance. Opelousas General Health System serves a large number of indigent patients creating a significant challenge balancing the needs of operations, physical capital, and funding growth. The CEO will champion the full implementation of plans and decision making to drive opportunities for enhanced financial performance. The CEO will also champion initiatives that will enhance its operational efficiency, its clinical quality, and its financial strength. The CEO will promote an environment of accountability for achieving the goals of the organization, which will allow itself to sustain its independence and to continue to thrive in the future.

• Continue to support the culture at Opelousas General Health System. The organization has successfully transformed our service culture.  

Qualifications

Education

• An advanced degree in Healthcare Administration or related field is required.

• Fellow in the College of Healthcare Executives strongly preferred.

Pivotal Experience & Expertise

• Progressively responsible leadership experience in a hospital, health care administration, or related field, including extensive experience as a senior executive.

• Experience with a complex healthcare organization in a governmental context entity. Experience working effectively with highly involved board members, clinicians, staff, business community, state offices, other hospitals, and payors. Understanding of the interface between medical care, financial wellbeing and public health.

• Executive Management Experience - Experience developing and implementing financial strategies, experience as an external face for a company; experience with long- and short-term organizational strategies; and P&L management experience.

• Strategy and Planning - Experience leading strategy and planning in the short-, medium- and long-term. Creates and executes competitive and sustainable strategies based on a deep understanding of the market.

• Stakeholder Relations - Experience developing positive relationships, communicating with, and influencing internal and external stakeholders at the highest levels of organizations.

About Our Community

South Louisiana is a location that's easy to call home. With our location being in the heart of Cajun and Creole Heritage, we are only a 20-minute drive to Lafayette, one-hour drive to Baton Rouge, and two-hour drive to New Orleans. We have a Joie de Vivre (Joy of Life) like no other. From world famous Cajun and Creole cuisine to unmistakable Cajun and Zydeco music and the Arts, you are sure to experience Southern Hospitality at its finest. Opelousas is a great place to use your feet, whether strolling over the 19th-century brick sidewalks lining its historic district or participating in the city's rich Zydeco music tradition by dancing at a local club or festival. Opelousas is Louisiana's third-oldest city and is part of the state's Main Street Program with its downtown cluster of antique shops, boutiques and restaurants serving Cajun and Creole cuisine. Visitors can see antebellum, Victorian, and early 20th-century buildings on a walk-through town, including the "Hidden Capital of Louisiana," which served as the governor's mansion during the Civil War. A trip to the historic Le Vieux Village, with its 19th-century cottages, Orphan Train exhibit and Jim Bowie display about the famous one-time Opelousas resident, adds historical context to the Cajun and Creole folkways still in such vibrant evidence around the city today. In short, the people of this area have great heart, a love of life, strong work ethic and strong family values. The employees of OGHS are emblematic of these attributes.