A Paramedic's Path to the Corner Office

What does it take to turn around a rural hospital in under three months? In this episode, Steve Henson, CEO of Ste. Genevieve County Memorial Hospital, shares the story behind his fast-moving restructuring plan and the unconventional career path — from ambulance driver to attorney to hospital executive — that prepared him for it. Henson discusses the realities of critical access hospital finances, the growing impact of Medicare Advantage on rural hospital margins, and why rural hospitals function as economic engines for their communities. He also shares his approach to building trust with staff quickly, including the informal leaders every organization relies on. This episode offers a clear-eyed view of the financial and leadership challenges shaping rural health care today.