Dale Kirby, CEO, Colusa Regional Medical Center
Nominated by: Brady Mayers, President, CRMC
 Since coming to Colusa in 2003 as the Chief Executive Officer of Colusa Regional Medical Center (CRMC), Dale Kirby has provided the vision and leadership to help turn the community’s only hospital into a dynamic, growing medical center. In 2001, the hospital was slated to close until a group of private citizens created a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization and raised the money to buy the hospital from the failing private hospital management corporation. The Board of Directors struggled with finding the appropriate leadership to help them fulfill their mission of providing access to quality medical care in our own local community until Dale arrived. Since 2003, Colusa Regional Medical Center has accomplished many things, including:
FACILITIES EXPANSION: A new medical arts building was constructed adjacent to the hospital campus, providing a medical home close to the hospital for UC Davis internal medicine specialists, North Valley Family Physicians’ family practice, and Dr. Highman’s surgical practice. Rural Health Clinics were opened in Arbuckle, Colusa and Williams, creating local access to care for residents of those communities. An outpatient specialty medicine clinic was opened providing local cardiology services.
PROGRAM EXPANSION: The emergency services have thrived, and continues to offer full 24/7 coverage. Radiology services have been expanded to include not only CT Scanning, but also MRI and PAC imaging services. Laboratory services have expanded hours and nearly doubled units of service. The number of babies delivered has increased by nearly 100 per year.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT: Support services have been expanded to the community, which include providing meals to seniors and jail prisoners out of the hospital’s cafeteria. In collaboration with the local arts council, an Art in Public Places program is in place to allow patients to enjoy the works of local artists. In collaboration with the local schools and county health offices, a program has begun to create local health careers training and educational programs.
FINANCIAL STABILITY: With this expansion of services to the community, the operating margin has also steadily improved. While many other small rural hospitals have closed, CRMC finished the last fiscal year with a 6 percent operating margin. This steady improvement in financial performance is allowing the hospital to build cash reserves to purchase new medical equipment and prepare for the future upgrade or replacement of an aging facility.
COMMITMENT: In collaboration with the Board of Directors, Dale has brought to the community a vision of what can be and instilled confidence in the hopes for the future, allowing people to leave behind their fears of past struggles. CRMC has tremendous community support with a very active volunteer Board of Directors, General Membership, Foundation and Auxiliary.
Dale has also lent his leadership skills to several Northern California professional organizations. He chaired the Northern Sierra Section of the Hospital Council for two years; he was a representative to the National Conference on Rural Health Information Systems and was a delegate to a meeting with Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on Statewide Health Information Technology. He is also an active participant in the Healthcare Executives Association, the California State Rural Health Association and the local Rotary and Chamber of Commerce.
Article posted on 1/17/08
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