The following are fictional characters created as composites of healthcare leaders Polaris has spoken with in recent executive searches. Their stories reflect real challenges and solutions we’ve encountered across the industry.
Regional Director’s Revelation: “Community Care Meets Creative Chaos”
Dr. James Park, Regional Director for Community Health Networks, calls from his car between site visits
Reporter: “How do you keep multiple sites running with uncertain funding?”
“I’ve become the ultimate healthcare entrepreneur—part doctor, part diplomat, part magician. Last week I was at a church potluck, a food bank meeting, and a city council session. Not typical medical training, but apparently essential for modern healthcare.” laughs while navigating traffic
“My secret weapon? The local pastor who runs a transportation ministry, the community college with nursing students, and the grocery store manager who donates near-expiration healthy foods. These partnerships fill gaps that federal funding used to cover. Mrs. Garcia gets her blood pressure checked at the community center, rides to appointments with the church van, and picks up heart-healthy groceries on the way home.”
“I also went full hub-and-spoke. My flagship site has the specialists and fancy equipment, while smaller locations focus on primary care and telehealth connections. Patients get specialty consultations without the 90-minute drive, and I get to maximize my expensive resources. It’s like running a franchise, except instead of hamburgers, we’re serving healthcare.”
Dear Reader: How are you building community partnerships that actually work? What site optimization tricks have exceeded expectations?