Supporting Community and Workforce at Saint Mary's Regional: 4 Questions With Newly Appointed CEO

Robert "Bob" Honeycutt talks about the challenges and opportunities Saint Mary's Regional Medical Center in Arkansas faces due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and his long-term focus to move the organization back toward normalcy.

Robert "Bob" Honeycutt will join the Saint Mary's Regional Medical Center in Russellville, Arkansas, as CEO, effective April 27, replacing COO Scott Bailey who has been serving as interim CEO. Saint Mary's Regional Medical Center is a part of LifePoint Health, a network of 88 hospitals and healthcare providers across 29 states.

Within the last 11 years, Honeycutt has held CEO positions at hospitals in Arizona and Texas, and most recently, at Ennis Regional Medical Center and Parkview Regional Hospital. "Throughout my career," Honeycutt says, "I have enjoyed working in mid-size rural communities where the local hospital is both a leading employer and community partner."

Honeycutt spoke with HealthLeaders about his goals as he transitions into his new position as CEO, and his interest in caring for and showing support for the local community and his workforce.

This transcript has been lightly edited for clarity and brevity.

HL: What are you most excited about in your new position as CEO of Saint Mary's Regional Medical Center?

Honeycutt: I am excited to join an incredibly talented leadership team, medical staff, and service-oriented Board of Trustees. During my initial meetings with each of these groups, I found leaders tremendously committed to supporting the delivery of high-quality compassionate care, a collaborative medical staff that is engaged with the hospital and the community, and a Board of Trustees focused on strong quality outcomes, patient experience, staff engagement, financial performance, and the health and well-being of the community.

HL: What are some of the challenges you're facing with starting this new position during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Honeycutt: COVID-19 is an incredible challenge—for hospitals, companies, families, and communities across our country.  The most significant challenge we face is the unknown: how long this virus could put a strangle hold on Russellville, Arkansas, and our nation. As we continue to see the stress the virus is causing our system, we have to look at how we continually and consistently support and show appreciation for our physicians, nurses, food service providers, environment services teams, plant operations leaders, and other healthcare workers.  These are the front-line heroes who are putting themselves in the middle of the pandemic to care for people every day.

A longer-term challenge—and opportunity—will be how we recover from the virus’ hold on our local health system and begin to move back toward normalcy and open up our elective service lines and physician practices.

HL: What systems are in place to ensure that Saint Mary's can successfully lead through the COVID-19 pandemic?

Honeycutt: The Saint Mary’s team, in conjunction with local physicians at Millard Henry and the Russellville community, have set up a triage center to assist with any influx of patients during the activated emergency preparedness plan. They have limited the access points into the hospital as well as restricted visitation for our patients’ and staff members’ safety. They are screening all individuals who are entering the hospital following CDC standards, adhering to the established protocols for patient and staff safety, and using personal protective equipment (PPE), when needed. The team also is working daily with the Arkansas Hospital Association, the Arkansas Department of Health, and the CDC.

I also have to mention how supportive the City of Russellville and local companies and industries have been of Saint Mary’s, graciously donating necessary items to the hospital to help in our time of need. I thank them for that.

HL: What are your short- and long-term goals as CEO?

Honeycutt: My short-term goal is to assist the health system in navigating the unchartered waters of COVID-19 and build on the tremendous work that has taken place to date. Our healthcare professionals in Russellville and throughout Arkansas are working hard to provide the needed care to our patients and their families in these truly uncertain and unprecedented times. 

As we continue to push through this pandemic, I look forward to meeting and spending time with all of the dedicated team members throughout the hospital and system, and to gaining a better understanding [of] our strengths and areas where we have opportunity for growth and improvement. I am also looking forward to getting to know Russellville better as a community and engaging with leaders throughout Pope County.