Hospital CEO wants community to support hometown hospital
Staff reporter
"Community hospitals belong to the community."
"We're your hometown hospital."
Those statements are being heard quite a bit these days from St. Luke Hospital personnel.
Tom Smith, newly appointed chief executive officer of St. Luke Hospital & Living Center, believes the community needs to hear those words.
Smith was appointed to the chief position following a recent transition when the hospital and living center went from being managed by Banner HealthSystems to independent management by the board of directors of Marion County Hospital District #1.
"This hospital will continue to be a viable part of the Marion community and surrounding areas," Smith said. "We're here to stay."
The transition officially occurred Oct. 1 but plans had been in place for several months prior. Smith said the transition period will probably last 12 months.
"Going through this transition is a positive thing," Smith said. "This will make it more of your hometown hospital."
Smith is familiar with community hospitals.
After spending 22 years in the U.S. Army, Smith retired Oct. 15 and began duties at the hospital Oct. 18. The retired lieutenant colonel's last assignment was administrator at a community and military hospital at Ft. Benning, Ga.
Smith comes to Marion after operating a 73-bed hospital with outpatient facilities, family practice residency program, and three clinics. He looks forward to the change.
Being goal-oriented, Smith had set and obtained goals for himself. He said he had goals to serve his country, support his family, earn a master's degree in health care administration, obtain experience, and retire after 20 years with the rank of lieutenant colonel.
"One of my goals has been to run a community hospital," Smith said. "I feel fortunate and blessed to have this opportunity."
Smith has goals for the hospital — one being to become everyone's hometown hospital.
"The hospital needs to continue to grow," he said, and his job is to ensure it happens while continuing to provide safe, quality, and appropriate health care.
"We deliver great health care," Smith said. "We have a great staff, equipment, and services not always found in smaller hospitals."
Smith believes a community hospital should provide services at the beginning of life (birth) and at the end (long-term nursing care).
He plans to look at the reasons obstetric care has been discontinued but cautions the community in looking for a quick solution.
"The decision will not be made overnight," Smith said.
Smith emphasized community involvement and support as key elements in the continued success of the hospital.
"Convenience and quality of care are expected," Smith said. "It's more of ownership."
Smith said the community should take ownership and pride in the facility.
"Hospitals are often the pillars of the community," he continued. "It's one of those institutions that holds the community together."
Born in Phenix City, Ala., in east central Alabama, Smith grew up near Ft. Benning, Ga.
He attended and graduated from Auburn University in Auburn, Ala., and taught school in Columbus, Ga.
He married his wife JoDean and joined the U.S. Army.
When Smith and JoDean visited Marion, they were impressed.
"Marion is a vital community with a lot of pride," Smith said.
He has every intention of becoming involved in the Marion community.
"I made a promise to the hospital board," Smith said, "I would not only live within the hospital district but I desired being active in the community. My family and I are excited about doing that."
Smith said the move from Georgia to Kansas will be a positive move. He has six children — four girls and two boys. Three children are in college and three are at home.
Ranging in ages 11 to 24, Smith said his oldest son Justin is attending law school in Oklahoma. Twins Drew and Adrienne are 20 and attending college. Eighteen-year-old Emily is a high school senior. The two youngest children are Laura, 13, and Kathleen, 11.
"They're all my blessings," Smith said with a smile.
JoDean has been home-schooling the children and will finish the school year in the home-school program, Smith said. In the fall, Laura and Kathleen will attend public schools.
"My three younger children fell in love with Marion," Smith said. He said they were excited about being able to ride their bikes and participate in activities.
Within a few weeks, JoDean and the children will join Smith.
"We are looking forward to making this our home," Smith said.
