Orange City Area Health System CEO Chris Sietstra says listening, collaboration and long-term planning will guide the health system’s next chapter.
Sietstra recently discussed his approach to leadership and his vision for the future during an appearance on Sioux County Radio’s Daily Grind. Rather than entering the position with every decision already made, Sietstra says he wants to draw on the experience of employees throughout the organization.
“My job is to help us be able to weave that picture together with all the people who do know things about the specific areas that they’re working in to be able to identify the risks and then to make a good decision for the health system and for our communities as we move forward,” Sietstra said.
Sietstra previously served as the health system’s director of finance. That role gave him experience in several behind-the-scenes areas, including health information, insurance reimbursement, information technology, and the financial side of providing patient care.
He says his background has also taught him that no single person can fully understand every part of healthcare.
A Collaborative Leadership Style
Sietstra describes his leadership style as highly collaborative, with an emphasis on surrounding himself with knowledgeable people and bringing their perspectives together. He says his priority will be strengthening relationships throughout the organization.
“The most important part is and will always be people,” Sietstra said.
That includes preserving the strongest parts of the health system’s existing culture while continuing to improve it. Sietstra says he plans to spend time meeting employees, physicians, and members of the community while earning their trust.
Orange City Area Health System has more than 650 employees and serves more than 20,000 unique patients each year.
Planning for the Next Decade
Sietstra says the information gathered from those conversations will help guide a new strategic plan covering the next three, five, and ten years.
“Our communities count on us to be able to continue moving healthcare forward,” Sietstra said.
Keeping Healthcare Close to Home
A major part of that planning will involve determining how Orange City Area Health System can continue making procedures, specialists, and other medical services available locally. Sietstra says being able to receive more care close to home provides significant value to patients and their families.
The challenge will be identifying the services the region needs and then determining how to turn long-term goals into achievable short-term steps.
A Hands-On Approach
Sietstra also describes himself as a hands-on leader willing to learn directly from the people providing care. While helping with the health system’s implementation of the da Vinci surgical robot, Sietstra put on scrubs and entered the operating room to better understand how the technology would be used.
“It’s just a tool, and it’s only as good as the hands that you can put it in,” Sietstra said.
Sietstra takes over following Marty Guthmiller’s more than three decades of leadership at the health system. Sietstra says he has also benefited from working closely with Guthmiller during the transition.
“Even since the announcement of me as the next CEO that took place about a month ago, just his mentorship through that process has been such a gift. You don’t replace 32 years of experience overnight, and he has done so many cool things within the community, and he’s a very good mentor.”
Sietstra says the first six to 12 months of his tenure will be devoted largely to listening, building trust and working with the senior leadership team and board to establish the health system’s future direction.
He says the ultimate goal is to position Orange City Area Health System to continue responding to the changing needs of its patients and the communities it serves.
