Lean Thinking Meets Rural Health Leadership

Rural hospitals face no shortage of complex problems, and Don Carpenter believes the solution often starts with getting the data right. In this episode, Carpenter, CEO of Cedar County Memorial Hospital, shares how his background in Lean Six Sigma and project management shapes his approach to leading a critical access hospital. He discusses rebuilding trust in the community, restoring service lines like surgery and stroke certification, and why he believes rural hospitals do their best work when they collaborate rather than compete. Carpenter also reflects on his transition from Nebraska to Missouri and the lessons he's carrying into his first CEO role.