Garren Colvin enjoying the day he was named CEO of St. Elizabeth Healthcare (Photos provided)
By Judy Clabes
NKyTribune editor
Garren Colvin is the quintessential boy-next-door, complete with boyish good looks, affability and charm.
When you were growing up, he was the kid your parents wanted you to hang with, the one you wanted to sit next to in math class, the “too-good-to-be-true” kid who excelled at sports and at academics, the one who played by the rules but wasn’t nerdy about it, the one you could trust with your secrets . . .
You get it: Made-in-Ludlow genuine.
He grew up in that cozy river town, the only child of adoring parents. His mom was an office manager, his dad a pipe fitter. Mom was in charge of spoiling her only child and dad, well “my dad worked hard to make sure my mom didn’t do that job too well.”
“My parents believe in the American dream,” Colvin says in a tone replete with loving regard. “They taught me right from wrong – and wanted to see me get a college degree.
“And a job.”
He can’t resist the good humor.
At Ludlow High School, the basketball player (thanks for the picture, Garren’s Mom)
His favorite subject was math; he was a three-sport standout. After graduation from Ludlow High School, he headed to Thomas More College to major in accounting. It wasn’t a random choice; at the time TMC guaranteed graduates 100% job placement. He was always one to please his parents. (And, he got to play baseball – on a scholarship – with future MLB all-star David Justice.) Later, as a working guy, he got his MBA from Northern Kentucky University.
As a co-op student at TMC in 1983, he joined St. Elizabeth Hospital as an accounting clerk. He subsequently served as Vice President of Finance, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer and as Interim President and Chief Executive Officer.
Then, in June, after an extensive national search to find a new president and CEO, St. Elizabeth Healthcare found just what it was looking for, close to home.
And Garren Colvin got the job of his dreams.
“This isn’t just a job for me,” he says. “This is my home. It’s personal.
“It’s a huge responsibility to treat your friends and neighbors and families.”
The top job at the region’s primary healthcare facility also means that Garren Colvin, the Ludlow kid, is now one of the top corporate executives in Northern Kentucky. He heads an enterprise that operates six major facilities throughout the region and more than 100 primary care and specialty office locations in three states.
He is responsible for a one billion annual budget, with providing more than $121 million-plus in uncompensated care, and for 7300 employees, making St. E. the largest employer in NKy. That includes nearly 350 doctors and 70 mid-level providers such as physician assistants and nurse practitioners.
He is not in Ludlow anymore. And, of course, his mom is not surprised.
“I am honored to lead this organization, honored to lead the great talent here, honored to ensure we are all dedicated to taking care of every patient and family that walks through our door,” he says.
Board Chair Jim Votruba congratulates Colvin at the announcement of his appointment in June.(photo provided)
At his corporate home, Colvin’s selection was met with nearly universal approval. The thumbs-up delight was palpable in the hallways – a sign of relief as well as high expectations that one of their own understood the place from the ground up. And valued it.
Just after the announcement was made, Colvin set out to visit every site, every office – and shake as many associates’ hands as possible. His accessibility was – and is – appreciated, and his habit of “managing by walking around” plays well throughout the system.
He insisted from day one that he had no interest in “cleaning house.”
But he has certainly been re-arranging the furniture – and pushing out the family room walls.
In just a few months, he has rolled out the new strategic plan, introduced a revamped senior leadership team, upgraded IT security, initiated a strategic evaluation of the Foundation, and announced a partnership that will build and operate a new speciality hospital on Dolwick Drive in Erlanger – aimed at providing inpatient behavioral health and chemical dependency care.
In addition – and music to the ears of community leaders — he has made it clear there’s a renewed commitment on his watch to the hospital’s engagement in the community – and “in telling our story better.”
He means to be a corporate leader in every aspect of the definition, seeing that St. E is just as connected to the community as a corporate citizen as it has been as a healthcare provider.
Colvin family and friends, including Coach Cal at St. E-sponsored Northern Kentucky night at the Reds
In terms of increased visibility there have been the very first Northern Kentucky Night at the Reds – sponsored by St. Elizabeth Healthcare – and the dedication of the new Health Innovations Center at Northern Kentucky University – accompanied by St. E’s $8 million gift. Thanks to a sponsorship from St. E., the girls’ state basketball tournament will be coming to Northern Kentucky for the first time next March. And the METS Center will become a St. E. facility as of December 1.
Being mild-mannered obviously doesn’t mean grass will grow under one’s feet.
Colvin describes himself as an “empowering” leader who is “inclusive” – and a good listener.
Despite the boyish charm and easy-going manner, he knows what’s required of real leaders: “I aim to build consensus, but I understand the burden of leadership. I will make the tough decisions.”
It would be a mistake to underestimate the steel in the voice despite the pleasant demeanor.
He appreciates the “team,” however, and knows the value of building a strong one. “Our team won’t let me fail.
“This is a big system with a lot of moving parts,” he says. “Our strategic plan focuses on bringing all the system together.”
His idea of fun? “Getting out and meeting with physicians, associates and patients.”
The system has put in place a new strategic plan for the next three years, so the new CEO starts nearly from day one with a whole new set of ambitious goals.
“It’s a good plan,” he says. “It will allow us to achieve great things. . . .It will allow us to do a great a job of preparing for health care of the future.
“Things aren’t necessarily broken, but anything can be better.”
A popular choice, he has been at St. E. for 32 years
Colvin is adamant that he has inherited leadership of a very solid and finely tuned organization.
“Morale is very high,” he says.
The healthcare environment, though, is undergoing major changes – and good or bad, that’s a management challenge. Colvin talks in terms of moving from a “fee for service to a value-based payment methodology,” about “appropriate care in an appropriate setting,” and about the challenges presented by the state’s “certificate of need” requirements, and about wellness and access and telemedicine and urgent care centers . . .Clearly he has a lot on his plate.
“We are at a critical point – maintaining pride and morale in the face of lower reimbursements and the influence of managed care. . .
“We take our commitment to mission very seriously.
“We are the safety net hospital.”
Colvin and his wife, Susan, live in Crescent Springs. They have two daughters, Kylie, 19, a sophomore at UK in the College of Agriculture and Hannah, 17, a high school senior.
Garren, the high school athlete, playing baseball and football. (Pictures provided by Mom)
