Hillsboro impresses new hospital administrator
Staff writer
Josh Gant has found Hillsboro a kind and welcoming community in his short time as chief executive at Hillsboro Community Hospital.
He began his duties at the eight bed hospital Thursday after the departure of Mark Rooker, who now is chief executive at Lindsborg Community Hospital.
“Mark laid a great foundation,” Gant said.
Not new to running a hospital, Gant was chief operating officer at Great Bend Regional Hospital, a 32 bed hospital. He oversaw day-to-day operations of the hospital and its support locations.
Before that, he was director of cardiopulmonary and imaging at Ellsworth County Medical Center and a respiratory therapist at Salina Regional Health Center.
Gant had been impressed with HCH, even down to how clean it is kept. Part of his motive for seeking the job was to live closer to Lindsborg, where he still has family.
Trent Skaggs, chief executive of hospital owner Rural Hospital Group, said Gant seemed to be a natural fit.
“Being from Kansas and familiar with the community was a big plus, and his willingness to move and be a part of the community,” Skaggs said. “We interviewed several candidates and then had a small group of employees interview our top three candidates. We took the input from those employees, and Josh is the one that stood out.”
He termed Hillsboro’s industry “pretty impressive” for a small town.
His first immediate goal is to get to know people at the hospital. “I’m a very ‘present’ leader,” he said. After that, he wants to see what other opportunities the hospital can offer.
Gant and his family of six will move from Great Bend after school gets out.
“My family and I are incredibly excited to be part of the Hillsboro team and community,” he said. “I look forward to contributing my energy and passion for rural health care.”
He has an associate’s degree in respiratory care from Amarillo College and a bachelor’s degree in health care administration and a master’s in health care business administration from Western Governors University. He also is a registered respiratory therapist and a member of the American College of Health Care Executives.