New LRMC CEO says local healthcare is a top priority
MEL TOADVINE Dr. Alaa El-Gendy, left, and LRMC’s Chief Executive Officer Gary Bell.
While there are no immediate plans for expanding Lehigh Regional Medical Center, its new Chief Executive Officer Gary Bell said everyone at the hospital will concentrate on the treatment of it patients with top quality health care.
Bell assumed his position at the hospital in early February.
“You may see us doing some painting on the outside, but the real work will be on the inside as we are purchasing new equipment that is needed by the hospital and we are emphasizing the best health care we can provide,” Bell told the Greater Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce last week during its monthly luncheon.
LRMC was recently purchased by Prime Healthcare, the owner of several hospitals across the nation.
Bell said he loves hospitals and plans to stay at LRMC for as long as he can, continually improving the things that really count – the best equipment and personnel.
He has worked at hospitals around the county and in the Middle East. He mentioned some of the first medical facilities where he worked as a young man – the very first in Georgia, where he said no technology existed, except for a CAT scan of the head.
“Even though technology moves forward, we had no word processing,” he said. “On our worst day, we should be thankful for what we have and we have got an excellent hospital in Lehigh and we’re going to make it better.”
“We’re going to focus on the inside of the hospital with better care, the purchase of needed equipment and the addition of more doctors to become associated with the hospital,”?he said.
He noted that the Emergency Room at LRMC serves about 36,000 patients a year
“That’s a lot,” he said. “There’s a long list of items we are going to do because patients and their care come first.”
Chamber members were surprised to learn that the hospital has no budget to follow.
“That’s how it is. No budget,”?Bell said. “As long as we can meet the $900,000 payroll as we did last week, we are going to do what it take to make sure the hospital has the equipment and other items on hand to help the patients.”
“The quality of care will meet our expectations,” he said. “My philosophy is to take care of quality and other things will take care of themselves.”
While he has never lived in Lehigh, Bell’s grandmother purchased a lot years ago. Bell said he enjoyed the recent Fort Myers parade and hopes next year that LRMC will be in it.
“The Lehigh Senior High School’s Lightning Band was the only school in Lehigh that participated,” he said.
Bell said the volunteers are a big help.
“We save $150,000 a year because of their service. Every dollar they raise, we will match dollar to dollar for scholarships,”?he said.
Bell said he is committed to LRMC and the care that is being offered to local residents. He noted that Prime Healthcare operates 42 hospitals in 16 states.
“I will be involved as long as I am healthy,” he said.
Bell invited people to visit the hospital and meet with him.
“My office is near the entrance, turn right and you’ll find me,” he said.
“I invite everyone to stop by and tour the hospital and see what we are doing. And it’s for the best health of all that come here as patients and we are going to constantly improve,” he said.
Prime Healthcare acquired LRMC and its related businesses, including physician clinic operations and ancillary services from subsidiaries of Community Health Systems, the previous owners.
Dr. Prem Reddy, president of Prime Healthcare, said the organization believes that every community deserves exceptional healthcare close to home.
He said that Prime Healthcare hospitals are consistently ranked among the best hospitals in the nation, and he has no doubt that LRMC will continue the legacy.
New LRMC CEO says local healthcare is a top priority
MEL TOADVINE Dr. Alaa El-Gendy, left, and LRMC’s Chief Executive Officer Gary Bell.
While there are no immediate plans for expanding Lehigh Regional Medical Center, its new Chief Executive Officer Gary Bell said everyone at the hospital will concentrate on the treatment of it patients with top quality health care.
Bell assumed his position at the hospital in early February.
“You may see us doing some painting on the outside, but the real work will be on the inside as we are purchasing new equipment that is needed by the hospital and we are emphasizing the best health care we can provide,” Bell told the Greater Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce last week during its monthly luncheon.
LRMC was recently purchased by Prime Healthcare, the owner of several hospitals across the nation.
Bell said he loves hospitals and plans to stay at LRMC for as long as he can, continually improving the things that really count – the best equipment and personnel.
He has worked at hospitals around the county and in the Middle East. He mentioned some of the first medical facilities where he worked as a young man – the very first in Georgia, where he said no technology existed, except for a CAT scan of the head.
“Even though technology moves forward, we had no word processing,” he said. “On our worst day, we should be thankful for what we have and we have got an excellent hospital in Lehigh and we’re going to make it better.”
“We’re going to focus on the inside of the hospital with better care, the purchase of needed equipment and the addition of more doctors to become associated with the hospital,”?he said.
He noted that the Emergency Room at LRMC serves about 36,000 patients a year
“That’s a lot,” he said. “There’s a long list of items we are going to do because patients and their care come first.”
Chamber members were surprised to learn that the hospital has no budget to follow.
“That’s how it is. No budget,”?Bell said. “As long as we can meet the $900,000 payroll as we did last week, we are going to do what it take to make sure the hospital has the equipment and other items on hand to help the patients.”
“The quality of care will meet our expectations,” he said. “My philosophy is to take care of quality and other things will take care of themselves.”
While he has never lived in Lehigh, Bell’s grandmother purchased a lot years ago. Bell said he enjoyed the recent Fort Myers parade and hopes next year that LRMC will be in it.
“The Lehigh Senior High School’s Lightning Band was the only school in Lehigh that participated,” he said.
Bell said the volunteers are a big help.
“We save $150,000 a year because of their service. Every dollar they raise, we will match dollar to dollar for scholarships,”?he said.
Bell said he is committed to LRMC and the care that is being offered to local residents. He noted that Prime Healthcare operates 42 hospitals in 16 states.
“I will be involved as long as I am healthy,” he said.
Bell invited people to visit the hospital and meet with him.
“My office is near the entrance, turn right and you’ll find me,” he said.
“I invite everyone to stop by and tour the hospital and see what we are doing. And it’s for the best health of all that come here as patients and we are going to constantly improve,” he said.
Prime Healthcare acquired LRMC and its related businesses, including physician clinic operations and ancillary services from subsidiaries of Community Health Systems, the previous owners.
Dr. Prem Reddy, president of Prime Healthcare, said the organization believes that every community deserves exceptional healthcare close to home.
He said that Prime Healthcare hospitals are consistently ranked among the best hospitals in the nation, and he has no doubt that LRMC will continue the legacy.
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