Building Trust Through Vulnerability and Presence

Earning trust is the foundation of leadership—especially for a leader stepping into a century-old organization. In this episode, Matt Fry, president and CEO of Freeman Health System in Joplin, Missouri, shares what it takes to lead a locally owned, nonprofit health system through a period of growth and change.  As the first CEO hired from outside the organization in its 100-year history, Fry explains how presence, humility and a willingness to be vulnerable is helping him build trust with his team and community. He also discusses empowering his leadership team, advancing quality through lean process improvement and integrating behavioral health across the system. This conversation offers a candid look at the mindset required to lead rural health care forward while keeping people and communities at the center.