New CEO doesn't see need for major changes

By Jean Wilson - Columbus - Claude Chatterton said the transition into his role as president and CEO of Columbus Community Hospital should be a smooth one because of the high quality of patient care and staff talent already present at the facility.

He said that's what attracted him to the position in the first place.

"I knew this hospital would continue to be successful long into the future and that's the type of organization I want to be associated with," Chatterton said. "The right people are doing the right things. These are the kinds of people I want to work with."

The 56-year-old former president/CEO of the Harrisburg Medical Center in Harrisburg, Ill., said his first day on the job here was Monday and that so far he does not see any need for dramatic changes because the hospital already provides quality health care services and stands financially strong.

Chatterton led the Harrisburg center for the past 10 years, and has also held administrator positions at hospitals in Michigan and South Dakota. He replaces Gary Pulsipher, who assumed his duties here in 2002 and who accepted a similar position in Oregon earlier this year. In the absence of a president/CEO prior to Chatterton's arrival, three hospital vice presidents - Joe Barbaglia, Linda Walline and Jim Goulet - had their responsibilities broadened.

More than 100 applications for the position of hospital president/CEO were reviewed by a 13-member selection committee comprised of members of the hospital's board of directors, the CCH Foundation and several physicians.

Chatterton arrived in Columbus last week, and will be joined by his wife, Mary Jo, later this year.

One of the main responsibilities of the CCH president/CEO is making sure the operations of the hospital continue to be strong and of high quality, Chatterton said. He will also be working with the board of directors and the medical staff to plan for the future.

Charting a map for more opportunities to serve the public involves several steps for Chatterton.

First, he will talk to department managers and encourage them to ask their staffs what changes need to be made. The answers will be compiled and studied by senior management, board members and medical staff.

"We usually come up with a great plan," Chatterton said.
CCH has kept up with technological advances, said Chatterton who described the hospital's CT Scanner as state of the art.

"They're not any better in Omaha or Lincoln," he said. "I think we're staying on top of technology."

He credited physicians and medical specialists for helping the facility stay on top of changing technology.

The new Columbus Community Hospital building opened for business in August 2002 on 80 acres of land in the northwest part of Columbus. The four-story facility has 153,000 square feet of space for inpatient, outpatient and wellness care programs, in addition to emergency medicine, general surgery, obstetrics and rehabilitative services. Columbus Community Hospital has about 500 full and part time employees.
Chatterton said his approach to maintaining good employee morale is treating people fairly.

"I think if you're honest with them and take the time to get to know them and their needs, ... I think that all speaks to high morale," he said.

After receiving his undergraduate degree in business from the College of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn., Chatterton earned a master's degree in hospital and healthcare administration from the University of Minnesota.

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