HAYS — Edward Herrman began his duties Oct. 26, as HaysMed’s new president and chief executive officer. Herrman, who was president of Integris Bass Baptist Health Center in Enid, Okla., was selected following an extensive national search.
Herrman will work closely with leadership, the HaysMed board and health system leadership in Kansas City to continue the progress toward greater collaboration.
“Supporting the community and region is important.” Herrman said. “By working together, we can strengthen our team, our partnership with our teammates in Kansas City and provide even more robust care for our patients in Hays and western Kansas.”
Herrman received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Oklahoma City University and a Master of Business Administration/Healthcare Administration from the University of Phoenix.
He served on the board of directors for numerous community organizations in Enid, including United Way of Enid and Northwest Oklahoma, Northwest Oklahoma Blood Institute, Denny Price YMCA, Vance Development Authority and Enid High Education Council. He is past-president of the Oklahoma Organization for Nurse Executives, and a fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives.
“I’m challenged by the opportunity to continue the legacy that HaysMed has begun, and excited that Hays is part of The University of Kansas Health System, whose mission is to take care of Kansans,” Herrman said.
His parents were raised in La Crosse and he still has many relatives in the area contributing to his familiarity with rural health care. He sees the challenges for HaysMed are similar to those in other facilities similar to Hays: recruiting specialty care physicians and providing adequate primary care.
Plans for the coming months include meeting with local and regional partners to help strengthen relationships. “Having healthy communities both in Hays and western Kansas is important to HaysMed. Our goal is to offer support so patients can receive the care they need, where and when they need it,” Herrman said. “There are many exciting changes planned for HaysMed and I am looking forward to working with everyone to ensure they occur.”
Herrman and his wife Ashley have been married 18 years and have three children: daughter Amelia, 11, and sons Landon, 9, and Dalton, 6.