In the News
GF Hospital and Manor welcomes interim administrator
September 30, 2010
Granite Falls Advocate Tribune - by Scott Tedrick, Editor
Granite Falls, MN - It should be a little easier for Granite Falls Hospital and Manor CEO and Administrator George Gerlach to concentrate on his health knowing that capable hands are filling in in his stead.
The hospital recently appointed Ronald Ommen to serve as the facility’s interim administrator while Gerlach undergoes medical treatment for a group of cancers of the blood and marrow called myelodysplastic syndromes.
Ommen, who has 32 years of experience in health care management, is expected to serve as interim administrator for at least three months. During that time he will be charged with a number of responsibilities, chief among them physician recruitment and the development of a hospital and manor master plan.
The master plan will identify facility improvement priorities that will position the hospital and manor to remain viable in the future. Ommen has had experience in such matters, overseeing a 32,000 foot expansion during a 2001-2007 tenure as CEO/administrator of St. John’s Medical Center in Jackson, Wyoming. Expectations are that the master plan will be completed by the end of the year.
Ommen commutes to Granite Falls from his home in Pequot Lakes where he resides with his wife, Leanne. One week into his tenancy, he says that he has been impressed with the quality of the hospital staff along with the overall hospitality of the town.
“It’s a tribute to George,” he said of the level of staff. “He’s put together a pretty strong management group and an employee group that is pretty much smiling all the time.”
The interim administrator says he plans to work on site at the hospital three to five days s week depending on need. He commented that he’ll always be available by phone, but said that if he can complete his tasks without clocking a full week his intent will be to keep expenses down.
“I want to be sensitive to the fact that I cost the hospital money when I’m here,” he said.
Ommen’s time at the Granite Falls Hospital and Manor will be his first experience serving in the interim capacity. He has been retired since leaving his managerial role at St. John’s Medical Center in 2007 and says he is enjoying once again being active in an administrative role.The hospital connected with the former CEO/administrator by utilizing the services of the Bloomington located executive talent management firm, Experienced Resources.
In addition to his time at St. John’s, Ommen has also performed leadership roles with Health Midwest in Kansas City, Missouri, the Hospital Corporation of American in Minneapolis and HealthOne – Golden Valley Health Center in Golden Valley.
He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Minnesota in business and in hospital and health care administration.