ORGANIZATION MISSION:

Lorain County Health & Dentistry, committed to respecting the dignity of every person, provides quality, compassionate and comprehensive primary health care to all people regardless of ability to pay.

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW:

Lorain County Health & Dentistry (LCH&D) is a private, nonprofit, charitable organization dedicated to delivering the highest quality primary and preventive health care to underserved persons of all ages throughout Lorain County, OH and beyond. Founded in 2002, LCH&D first operated as a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) Look-Alike until designated by the federal Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) as a funded FQHC in early 2009.

The largest safety-net provider in Lorain County, LCH&D operates six community health centers in Lorain, Elyria, Oberlin and North Ridgeville and provides adult/family medicine, pediatrics, general and specialty dentistry, podiatry, optometry, pharmacy and integrated behavioral health, including Medication for Opioid Use Disorder. A focused vision, solid mission, effective strategic planning, excellent leadership and management, teamwork, and perseverance have enabled LCH&D to grow significantly over the years. As a result, LCH&D is a well-known and respected organization locally and at the state and federal levels.

Since its founding, LCH&D has provided over one million doctor and dentist visits. In 2023, LCH&D treated 18,575 Unduplicated Patients in 63,222 medical and dental visits. “Quality” is highly valued at LCH&D, and the health center is dedicated to providing the best clinical care and customer service possible. Today, LCH&D places in the Top 10% for best overall clinical quality measure performance among all health centers nationwide. As such, HRSA recently awarded LCH&D the coveted 2024 Health Center Quality Leader Gold Badge. LCH&D has more than 120 providers and staff and an $18 million annual operating budget. In addition to providing excellent clinical care, the organization is well positioned both operationally and financially.

POSITION SUMMARY:

LCH&D Founder and President & Chief Executive Officer, Stephanie Wiersma, will retire from the organization after 23 years of exceptional service. Ms. Wiersma and the Board of Directors are now committed to a seamless and transparent leadership transition. The new President & CEO (“CEO”) will be appointed by the Board of Directors and employed by the organization. The selected executive will closely guard the Mission, exemplify organizational Values of Respect, Quality, Compassion and Hope, and exercise strategic leadership working closely with a tenured Leadership Team and the Board of Directors.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS:

The CEO of Lorain County Health & Dentistry reports to the Board of Directors and currently supervises the following direct reports:

• Chief Operating Officer
• Chief Financial Officer
• Chief Medical Officer
• Chief Nursing & Quality Officer
• Chief Human Resources Officer
• Dental Director
• Director of Behavioral Health
• Executive Assistant

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The CEO will be the direct executive representative of the Board of Directors in the management of the health center and will have all duties and authority which such position would customarily require, including:

• Carrying out the health center’s mission, philosophy and all policies established by the Board, and advising the Board on the formation of policies
• Assuring the preparation of annual budgets, and written plans for the achievement of specific long and short-term objectives, and evaluating and updating budgets and plans
• Serving as the Project Director for HRSA
• Representing LCH&D to other agencies, organizations, hospitals and corporations in the community and beyond
• Successfully advocating for the communities and patients LCH&D serves
• Supervising activities to raise the quality of care and service provided to LCH&D patients
• Ensuring regulatory compliance in accordance with local, state and federal laws
• Supervising the financial affairs of the Corporation to ensure financial viability
• Building and maintaining trust with internal and external stakeholders
• Guarding and protecting the organization’s reputation and status
• Serving as the key spokesperson for Lorain County Health & Dentistry
• Establishing and maintaining policies, procedures, practices and systems that promote patient and staff safety and minimize health center risk
• Selecting, employing, supervising and discharging employees and agents, and implementing personnel policies as established by the Board
• Supervising activities to meet workforce development and recruitment and retention goals
• Maintaining physical properties in good and safe state of repair and operating condition
• Seeking funding sources to further the health center’s strategies and community impact
• Serving as ex-officio member, without vote, on the Board of Directors and Board Committees, and accordingly preparing periodic reports reflecting health center activities and other special reports as may be required by the Board

CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS:

The President & CEO will be an exceptional role model who performs well under stress, communicates clearly and thoughtfully, has demonstrated ability to develop key relationships and alliances, has steadfast integrity and a strong sense of accountability, is a doer with practical ability to get things done, who shows wisdom and sound judgment, and who leads others fairly and respectfully. The ideal candidate will have FQHC knowledge and experience at the executive level and a keen understanding of underserved communities and the barriers they face. The successful candidate will have a record of executive accomplishment in creating strategic growth while delivering quality performance and building and maintaining a positive organizational culture.

Education:

A masters or professional degree in clinical health care (medicine, nursing, social services, other), health care administration, public health, non-profit management, or business administration is required. A clinical degree combined with a MHA, MPH, MBA or similar degree is preferred.

Knowledge and Work Experience:

• Minimum of eight years of progressive experience in health care administration and leadership, preferably in an outpatient setting and ideally at the CEO level in a similar organization
• Experience in designing and building effective growth strategies and delivering desired results
• Strong financial acumen and business sense
• Experience and proven effectiveness in supervising, coaching and developing successful leaders
• Demonstrated ability to lead and supervise a diverse team and hold team members accountable
• Demonstrated ability to engage, mentor and inspire staff members at all levels of an organization
• Knowledge and understanding of social determinants in the service area and impact on health
• Ability to collaborate with local, state, and federal leaders to influence policy and legislation
• Knowledge and understanding of clinical and operational metrics and their relationship to financial performance
• Demonstrated ability to plan and launch new sites and services on time and budget and achieving desired outcomes
• Demonstrated ability to cultivate ownership among all ranks of staff
• Ability to accept constructive feedback to improve personal and health center performance
• Strong desire to work hard and serve others for the benefit of the organization and the community
• Demonstrated ability to develop and promote a diverse, inclusive and accepting culture
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, with patients, employees, colleagues, community leaders, elected officials and others
• Thoughtful, measured and effective responses during emergencies and other unplanned events
• Excellent listening skills, and the ability to be both heard and understood
• Ability to respond appropriately and respectfully to a culturally-diverse patient and staff population with unique and varied needs
• Demonstrated effective problem-solving and conflict resolution skills
• Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively as a team member within and across organizational lines to achieve health center goals
• Effective time management and prioritization skills to manage daily matters, address unexpected demands, and simultaneously lead activities to achieve long-term strategies
• Demonstrated ability to serve as a leading advocate, presenting a passionate, selfless and professional demeanor always serving others first

Why Choose LCH&D?

Located about 30 miles west of downtown Cleveland, and one mile from Lake Erie, we are in the perfect area to quickly get to any of the following attractions:

• Cedar Point • Cleveland Botanical Gardens • Cleveland Metroparks• Cleveland Museum of Art• Great Lakes Science Center • Kalahari Waterparks • Playhouse Square • Progressive Field • Lake Erie Shores & Islands • Rocket Mortgage Field House • Rock and Roll Hall of Fame • Huntington Bank Field • And Many More!

PROCEDURE FOR CONSIDERATION:

For confidential consideration, please select "Apply" and upload an updated and accurate CV along with a cover letter describing your qualifications for the Chief Executive Officer position, including your specific interests in LCH&D's Mission as described above. Additionally, please complete and submit the online application in its entirety.

Lorain County Health & Dentistry values diversity and is committed to equal opportunity of all persons, regardless of age, color, disability, ethnicity, marital status, national origin, race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other status protected by law.

Lorain County Health & Dentistry (LCH&D) is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, LCH&D will ensure that all persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations for the hiring process. If an accommodation is needed please contact the LCH&D Human Resources Department at (440) 240-1655.

LCH&D is currently not considering any partnership with third party recruitment firms to fill this position. Recruiters are kindly asked to refrain from contacting LCH&D Human Resources at this time.