Bostrom settles in as hospital’s CEO

Gary Wayne Bostrom loves working with numbers as much as he loves working with people.

This passionate combination will help drive him as he assumes the helm of Adams County Public Hospital District No. 2 as its chief executive officer and its chief financial officer.

The dual role is not new to him, but will serve as a new experience for the district.

Bostrom arrived in Ritzville two weeks ago and his been working alongside interim CEO Gary Peck, who ended his tenure here on July 31.

The public hospital district’s new administrator brings more than 30 years of health care related management experience.

His most recent efforts were in Roundup, Mont. He served as chief financial officer there from 1992 to 2009. Then in 2009 he added the role of chief executive office to his task list.

When a new management firm was brought in, they hired a new CEO and Bostrom completed his time in Roundup as CFO from January until May of 2011.

East Adams Rural Hospital’s new administrator holds a Bachelors Degree in business administration with an accounting option from Montana State University Billings.

He also possesses a diploma in advanced accounting from Lasalle Extension University of Chicago.

As he settles into his new routine in Ritzville, Bostrom said he will spend time examining the district operation, meeting with staff, hospital commissioners and others before determining any changes.

“I’d like to see how everything flows before I make decisions about what needs to be changed,” he said. “I’d like to have input.”

Early in his stay he will focus on two key areas, ensuring the proper providers are in place and reviewing the district’s finances.

“The primary concern right now is making sure we have the provider situation handled,” he said. “We want to make sure we have coverage. And we will.”

The district has been using interim physicians through a contract with Coast 2 Coast Health Care Services since January of 2011. That relationship is scheduled to cease at the end of September. The district is working to find a permanent solution to its need for a physician. The cost for interim physician services is substantial compared to the cost of a resident doctor.

“There were times in Roundup where we did it too and those were the biggest losing years (financially,” Bostrom said. “We have two mid-levels (in Ritzville) who are taking care of a lot of patients. We want to limit locums as much as possible, but finding providers is difficult.”

Bostrom said Ritzville and the surrounding area is fortunate to have several health care facets.

“This is the perfect situation,” he said. “We have two local doctors who want to stay local.” Bostrom was referring to Charles M. Sackmann and Valerie Eckley, who currently operate Hometown Family Medicine and were previously employed by the hospital district.

Bostrom also knows the district has to address its declining financial picture. The district’s board of commissioners just received financial reports for April and May during its July 26 meeting. Bostrom is eager to bring the financial reporting up to date.

“I plan on spending time looking at all of the financials,” he said. “To begin with it’s going to be a big job. I hope to have it done within a month. The key is getting the financials out in a manner I’d like to see them and to present them in a more accurate manner to the board.”

The hospital in Roundup is a non-profit facility with a pair of governing boards that Bostrom worked with. There was a five-member district board that addressed the tax levy issues for the facility. A seven-member association board focused on the day-to-day operations.

Why was Ritzville a good fit for Bostrom?

“I wanted to get back into the CEO/CFO combined job,” he said. “I liked doing both. I like working with people and I like working with numbers.”

Bostrom and his wife, Margaret, have four children and five grandchildren. Margaret is a resource room teacher, currently in a one year contract in Montana. Bostrom said the couple plans to live in Ritzville and have been looking at homes to purchase here.

Until his wife completes her teaching contract and moves to Ritzville, Bostrom said they would do their best to see each other at least three weekends a month.

Originally from Bremerton, Wash., Bostrom’s family moved to Montana when he was three, to take over his grandfather’s farm which was located in Canada and Montana. The family continues to maintain the farm which grows wheat and barley.

Prior to entering the health care industry Bostrom obtained an AgriTech Farm and Ranch Management certificate from Northern Montana College.

He has worked for a rancher and spent more than five years working for Midland Implement.

Bostrom also has owned and operated a medical collections corporation, providing collection services to a number of clients including Billings Clinic.

Early in his financial career, Bostrom served on the audit committee for Billings Health Affiliated Credit Union. He then ran for and was elected to the credit union’s board of directors and has maintained ties with the organization for 30 years.