Incoming President and CEO Mark Marsh said his goal is to push Owensboro Health to become even better. Through partnerships, community involvement and listening to others about what can be improved, Marsh said he already had big plans for the regional healthcare system.
Marsh — a Cincinnati native who starts his role at OH on Monday — discussed his ideas during Thursday’s virtual Rooster Booster event.
Having led hospitals in Kentucky, Tennessee and Florida, Marsh’s years of experience in both healthcare and college athletics have enabled him to take professional challenges head-on.
Marsh said he wanted to see more patients stay close to home while being treated.
“I don’t like seeing patients who have to leave the community,” he said. “There are certain things that are going to be better suited for a big, suburban market. I think there’s things we can expand upon to provide great outcomes that allow people to stay in their own communities.”
Other communities, such as Bowling Green and Orlando, have seen positive outcomes in keeping patients close to home through Marsh’s leadership.
“There’s no reason we can’t continue to expand upon the great service we provide right here in the Owensboro region,” he said.
To get a better understanding of how Owensboro Health could become better, Marsh said he’d be spending the first 90 to 120 days on a “listening tour.”
“I really want to hear firsthand from all the constituents, the business leaders, the medical staff, from our team members to the board,” he said. “But it’s really about how we do things together.”
Marsh also said that his familiarity with Owensboro would be beneficial in creating strong connections with the community, and that Monday “couldn’t come soon enough.”
“Through those partnerships, you’re going to find that I’m very approachable. That’s my style,” he said. “A lot of what I’ve applied, I’ve learned from the sports I played. I think you’re going to find me very much out in the community, very involved. I won’t ask somebody to do something I’m not going to do. I’m going to roll my sleeves up.”
