Roger Gleisner, Interim CEO of RMCHCS
By Fowler Roberts
Q. What got you interested in serving as Interim Director for RMCHCS?
A. It wasn’t something I was actually pursuing. I was asked to come in at the end of November to review some financial and strategic issues facing the organization. As things progressed in the month of December, the board asked me if I was willing to step in as the Interim/Acting CEO of the organization and I accepted the position.
Q. What do you enjoy most about serving as Interim Director?
A. The daily interaction with the staff and physicians at Rehoboth. Many of these folks I have worked with and known for over twenty years. Also, the community of Gallup and the organization has been good to me and my family; it’s one way of giving back to both of them.
Q. What is the biggest challenge?
A. Quite a few things to say the least. The recent turnover – both the CFO and CEO – the organization has gone through some massive change and uncertainty. In addition, there are about three or four items that hit the organization last year affecting cash flow. It was like the perfect storm scenario. Biggest challenges are getting through the anxiety caused by all these changes and addressing the financial issues.
Q. What are your priorities as Interim Director?
A. I think the organization has done a great job in the last three or four years embracing and upgrading clinical areas within the organization. They did very well with last year’s Joint Commission survey. My priorities are financial driven: address expenditures, revenue growth, revenue cycle, and cash flow issues. Also, dealing with the anxiety caused by the recent changes.
Q. So how has Gallup changed since you lived here, twelve years ago?
A. In some ways, it has not changed at all – there are still a lot of great people in the community. Aesthetically, the community has definitely upgraded itself. The downtown, the new county court house, and courthouse square are very nice. Gallup has done a great job upgrading the physical appearance of the community.
Q. What do you enjoy doing in your off time?
A. When I am not working, I like to golf. For the past 15 years I have spent considerable time attending my boys’ sporting events; however, the eldest just wrapped up four years of college football and the youngest finished his senior year of high school football. So the days of watching my boys playing organized sports are coming to a close. I enjoy spending time with my wife and the boys, a lot of family time.
Q. What do you like to read?
A. I primarily read magazines. I read Sports Illustrated, Business Week, Fortune magazine and business periodicals.
Q. If you could trade places with one famous person, who would it be and why?
A. My famous people are my parents – Walter and Marcella. Both of my parents grew up on Minnesota farms during the Depression, and I believe both had no more than a sixth grade education. They successfully raised nine children instilling traits and values that have suited us well.
