Who: Dr. Scott Rathgaber, 53
New role: CEO of Gundersen Health System, La Crosse, Wis., replacing longtime CEO Dr. Jeff Thompson, effective in September.
Previous positions: Rathgaber is a medical VP at Gundersen, overseeing hospital operations and several major service lines. He was chief of gastroenterology from 2005 to 2011, and served on Gundersen's board of governors from 2010 to 2012. Before joining Gundersen as a physician, he practiced at the Burns Clinic in Petoskey, Mich.
A continuing focus on the environment: Gundersen is known for its energy-independent hospital and “green” investment strategy. “Our system continues to grow. We have to be mindful that we continue with our commitment to energy independence from the grid” and a low energy footprint, he said.
Building on Thompson's legacy: “He has transformed the organization from an (already) good organization. … We have much more focus now on demonstrating our high quality and providing an experience for our patients that is positive and enriching for them and supporting our staff and leadership with (additional) training.”
Working toward delivery reform: “I believe in creating our own future. ... Instead of waiting for decisions to be made, I think we need to be very involved in wherever the final product gets defined.”
