Harbor Light News

Interim CEO looks to maintain hospital’s strength, ensure continued progress on building project




 

 

For Jennifer Woods, caring for patients, staff, and the families of McLaren Northern Michigan’s 22 county service area has been a career long mission. The new interim Chief Executive Officer of McLaren Northern Michigan has been working for the hospital for 19 years in various leadership positions, most recently serving as the Chief Nursing Officer.

“My role now is really to make sure this organization doesn’t miss a beat, and that our colleagues and our patients receive the level of care they deserve,”Woods said in an interview during her first official day on the job (January 2).“We are very fortunate to have a strong, knowledgeable leadership team, and I am here to help support them and to be connected to the community during this time of transition.”

The hospital’s former CEO, David Zechmann, retired at the end of 2018. He worked with Woods in November and December after announcing his plan to step down.

“I can say the process has already started,” Woods noted about the work to hire a new CEO.

It is estimated the search will take up to six months.

As a nurse who has worked in leadership in a wide range of departments from outpatient care to neurosurgery, the Emergency Department to the dialysis and acute rehab center, Woods brings a depth of health care experience that goes beyond a typical boardroom executive.

“This is a business, but I have a somewhat unique perspective, in that I recognize what needs to happen to keep the business going while also having first hand experience and strength in critical care. It’s valuable to have a nursing background as I approach this role,” she said.

McLaren Northern Michigan is undergoing a major renovation and expansion, and its oversight will be a major part of the work Woods does in the coming months. The project’s “phase II” — actual construction work that followed the first phase of making ready the existing structures and space on the hospital campus, hit pause for a brief period this fall while a “certificate of need” was processed.

“We’re getting the foundation in now and construction will continue all winter,” Woods explained.

In addition to the renovation and expansion project, Woods will continue steering the ship through the tumultuous world of health care costs and priorities.

“There are always challenges and opportunities to continue ensuring we balance the community’s needs with the services we provide. It’s crucial that we stay in touch with what is most needed here; it’s not only about growth, but growth in the right places. It’s also about making sure we deliver the levels of care people have come to expect from us– or exceed those expectations. One of my goals is to continue developing and fostering relationships. I want people to know I am available to the community.”

Woods said it is an honor to be serving a hospital she knows and loves.

“I’ve spent the majority of my career here,” she noted. “I know and care deeply about the people who work here, and I know how talented our staff is at McLaren. It’s a continued priority for us to support our staff, and to keep the culture very positive and engaging.”

The culture of both the hospital and the community at-large are major selling points when looking to recruit physicians and nurses to this area, another task Woods will continue during her time as interim CEO.

“Recruitment never really stops,” she acknowledged. “It’s not always easy to get people to look at a rural hospital, but I can say when folks visit here, they are surprised in the best of ways. We do research here, we have cutting edge technology, and we are an award-winning hospital. In addition, we have this phenomenal community that provides a great lifestyle. I can’t imagine a better place to work or call home.”

As Woods continues to celebrate and support the work of McLaren Northern Michigan, she said strong communication, a stellar leadership team, and the always-present focus on patient care will guide the hospital forward.

“We are here for the community, both for patients and as one of the area’s biggest employers. I’m confident that we aren’t going to skip a beat during this time of transition.”