For 23 years, Rod Davis headed St. Rose Dominican Hospital’s Siena campus. Under his helm, Siena grew from a small, out-of-the-way medical center to one of the valley’s busiest hospitals.
“He is not afraid to challenge the status quo and take risks, all in the interest of improving health care quality and access,” co-worker Kate Grey said. “Rod has truly shaped and improved health care in Las Vegas.”
In November, Davis will be honored by Volunteers in Medicine of Southern Nevada for his efforts to provide health services to the most needy in the community. Last year, Dignity Health gave Volunteers in Medicine a $50,000 community grant and donated $50,000 worth of in-kind services.
You are being honored by Volunteers in Medicine of Southern Nevada. Tell us about the award.
Volunteers in Medicine of Southern Nevada is dedicated to providing the uninsured with access to comprehensive medical care, including preventive care. St. Rose Dominican has supported Volunteers in Medicine since its inception in 2008 and has worked closely with its founder, Dr. Florence Jameson. We believe the services VMSN provides are an essential cornerstone of our community’s health and are part of our mission as a faith-based, not-for-profit health provider. I am humbled to be recognized at the sixth annual Volunteers in Medicine Ball on behalf of my organization.
What do you think the nation’s health care system will look like in 25 years?
There will be less dependence on acute-care hospitals. They will still be needed, but focusing on keeping populations healthy and chronic disease management will intercept patients with proactive efforts to maintain their health.
Financial incentives to providers, employers and insurers will be aligned, reducing unnecessary duplication and influencing players to work together. This will result in even more efficient care delivery at a lower cost than we experience now.
Health delivery systems will be required to adapt to this changing environment in order to survive; organizations that deliver high quality at a better value will be the most successful.
What is on the horizon for Dignity Health?
We are expanding access to primary and specialty care through our introduction of Dignity Health Medical Group Nevada, which now has four clinics and 14 physician providers. We are also building alliances with community physicians to improve health care quality and lower costs. Our St. Rose Quality Care Network is composed of 660 local physicians from multiple specialties.
St. Rose also opened Stanford Medicine’s first clinic outside of California in 2012. We now have two Stanford clinical faculty surgeons practicing exclusively here in neurosurgery and three in cardiothoracic surgery.
And while we build for the future, we also need to build for today. The St. Rose Dominican Siena campus is one of the most in-demand hospitals in the valley, with the third-busiest ER. We are building a new patient tower and expanded ER there, which will open in early 2016.
What is the best business advice you’ve received?
A mentor of mine early in my educational career had a motto: “It’s performance that counts.” There are many who have good intentions but may not necessarily have the perseverance to overcome barriers, frustrations and disappointments. The people who we remember are the ones who overcome all challenges and are able to get the job done.
I have always remembered that motto and aspired to get things done, the right way. I believe every truly successful person is skilled in this area.
If you could change one thing about Las Vegas, what would it be?
We are such a melting pot of people who have relocated internationally and nationally; that results in a sense of unfamiliarity with others.
The Las Vegas work environment can also be intensely competitive. We could all benefit from more courtesy demonstrated to others, especially in traffic.
What are you reading right now?
“Wooden on Leadership,” by John Wooden, coach of the legendary UCLA dynasty which won 10 NCAA national championships in 12 years.
What do you do after work?
My spouse and I are both pilots, and we love to fly recreationally. We also love to travel, and we cherish the time we spend with our family, especially the grandkids.
Describe your management style.
Collaborative, supportive and encouraging. I believe in hiring the best people possible and giving them the freedom to accomplish what they are most skilled at doing.
Where do you see your company in 10 years?
Dignity Health has superb leadership. Our organization has developed excellent strategies for this evolving time in health care, and it will be a vibrant and successful organization in the future health care environment.
I plan to retire at the end of this year but will stay involved in the health care industry to the extent I can still contribute in a meaningful way.
Whom do you admire and why?
I admire many great leaders but at the top of my list are: Abraham Lincoln, an extraordinary leader during the most difficult chapter in American history; Martin Luther King Jr., an excellent orator whose passion and nonviolent protests regarding racial inequalities led to significant political change; Mother Teresa, who taught us the true meaning of service and humility; Nelson Mandela, widely admired for bringing a nation together with his vision of forgiveness and forging a new nation; and Winston Churchill, for his stubborn resilience and resistance during the darkest hours of the Second World War.
What is your biggest pet peeve?
I resent those who feel superior to others. Every single person has a life of meaning and value.
What is something that people might not know about you?
I grew up on a ranch and farm in Idaho and have a cowboy and rodeo background. I now ride Harleys. They’re easier to maintain than horses, but not quite as fun.