Baptist Health introduced only its third CEO since World War II this summer. The rarity of having the opportunity to serve as the leader of the largest health system in Arkansas is not something lost on Troy Wells, who assumed the role July 1.
“Working for Baptist Health in any capacity has been a privilege for me,” Wells, an almost nine-year veteran in the company, says. “It is so special to me because we are a faith-based, Arkansas company whose sole purpose is to serve the state that I love.”
Wells, who grew up in Hot Springs, has always been drawn to healthcare. It was even his childhood dream to be a paramedic, thanks to a medical television show he watched as a youngster.
“Something about healthcare, specifically faith-based, not-for-profit healthcare, really appealed to me — the mission, the people, the community aspect of it all,” he says. “I love being around so many smart and caring people who are committed to serving others.”
Through his career, Wells has worked at hospitals in Newport and Hot Springs before coming to Baptist Health where his rise through the company took him all the way to being named the top executive after Russ Harrington announced his retirement this summer.
Wells says the transition has been smooth, something he credits the senior leadership for, and maintains he hasn’t endured many, if any, surprises in the first few months on the job.
“Again, I believe that speaks to the transition planning and process that has taken place over a long period of time,” he says.
The person Wells credits the most for the seamless transition is his predecessor.
“Russ has been tremendous,” Wells says. “The great thing is that he has been retained as a senior advisor, so I have access to him as much as I need. With all of his experience and tenure with the organization, he can be very helpful.”
Still, Wells admits change has been the biggest challenge he’s faced so far in the new job, but he thinks it can be used as a positive.
“If nothing else, it causes you to be much more thoughtful about what you are doing, and why,” he says.
As CEO, Wells has plans to provoke change of his own, specifically in the way healthcare is delivered, whether it be directly through Baptist Health or through a partnership.
“These partnerships with physicians, other health systems, schools, government entities and others become very important to us as we pursue our vision and our mission in Arkansas,” he says. “We think that Baptist Health and our partners can be what I consider as part of the solution to healthcare in Arkansas.”
One area where Baptist Health is attempting to be a solution is in Conway, where a 216,000-SF hospital is under construction and planned to open in 2016.
“It is very unique in that it is creating a different way of managing a hospital alongside physicians,” Wells says. “As far as I know, there is not another model like this one in Arkansas where you have a not-for-profit system partnering in a co-management relationship with a group of physicians to operate a hospital.”
Wells recognizes that the Private Option is “first and foremost incredibly important” for the people of Arkansas, but says another issue that has been pushed from the spotlight is retaining and recruiting clinical caregivers.
“From physicians and nursing staff to all of our supporting teams, our people are what makes Baptist Health special. Having enough clinical staff is so important as our population continues to age,” he says.
But no matter what the task, Wells is always aware of the countless people who rely on the health system.
“The most pressure comes from the realization that so many people are counting on Baptist Health,” he says. “Our current and future patients, our employees, their families — they are all counting on us to be there when we are needed.”
Another Dose
Little Rock Soirée: What’s a typical day like for you?
Troy Wells: I start most days at 5:30 a.m. with a workout. After that, it’s see my wife and kids and off to the office. My typical day involves a lot of meetings, both with my team here at Baptist Health and with people outside of the system. Normally, I get a few hours per week of quiet time in the office to think and catch up on work-related reading and paperwork. I’m typically home by 6:30 p.m. to have dinner with my family. After that, I almost always help with bath time for the kids, then, help put them in bed by 8 p.m. My wife, Mary, and I usually visit while we clean up after the kids go to bed. Around 9 p.m., I might get an hour or so of reading or handling personal business, and a bit of television. It’s lights out at 10:30 p.m.!
S: What would people be surprised to learn about you?
TW: I’m not very organized. I depend heavily on other people to help me with this. I’m much better organizing my thoughts than my stuff.
S: Favorite song? Why?
TW: Right now, “Tin Cup Chalice” by Jimmy Buffett seems to be speaking to me. Probably because my family and I are headed to the beach later this month.
S: Hobbies?
TW: I love doing things outdoors. Primarily, I love to duck hunt. I also grow blueberries, I like to cook and I’m an avid reader.
S: What books are currently on your nightstand?
TW: My favorite book I’ve read recently is “Flashboys” by Michael Lewis. Michael Lewis is a great storyteller, and the book is about some of the intricacies of the financial markets for which I was not very familiar. So, I really learned something when I read the book, along with it being a great read.