By Lee Crouch, APR, Vice President, Dowden Custom Media Peter J. Wright, FACHE, did not follow the traditional path in attaining his C-Suite status as Chief Operating Officer at Littleton Regional Hospital in Littleton, New Hampshire. Peter’s experience was in hospitality and direct marketing where he was involved in strategic planning, marketing, public relations and customer relations initiatives. In 2001, when a college friend who happened to be the Director of Finance at Copley Hospital in Vermont, where most of us at NESHCo first knew Peter from, told him that a new CEO with an interesting vision was newly in place. Peter applied for the Director of Marketing and Public Relations and got the job at the integrated health system. Six months later, Peter was given the additional responsibilities of Planning, Marketing and Government Affairs where he worked with eleven different system entities, a position he held for five years. Along the way at Copley Hospital, Peter volunteered for every additional assignment he could find to broaden his experience in the healthcare world. For example, Peter oversaw the implementation and marketing of a multi-specialty clinic of traveling physicians. “I raised my hand to take on new assignments at the hospital as they came up and never asked for additional compensation. It was more important that I got the experience under my belt in this healthcare environment,” Wright explained. Over time, Peter became a trusted advisor to Copley’s CEO, and once again volunteered to manage a newly acquired Orthopedic Practice. For two years, Peter managed the day-to-day activities of the practice and also oversaw the implementation of an electronic medical record and PACS. Last year, Peter decided he was ready for a change. When the position of COO became available at Littleton Regional Hospital, Peter felt his experience with physician practices, leadership skills and his proven record as a healthcare communicator made him a potential candidate for the senior post. The process took nearly four months, but his tenacity and dedication paid off. “I firmly believe that the right attitude, personality and skill set, especially as a healthcare communicator, made me the right person for LRH. While it might have been easier to take someone from another part of the country, it was a plus that I knew the area, the players and key members of Littleton Hospital’s medical staff,” Wright replied. Peter currently oversees eight physician practices, support services and non-nursing clinical. He now oversees eighteen departments and is leading the charge with the CEO on the construction of a new 54,000 square foot medical office building. On top of that, the LRH senior team is work on several other strategic initiatives. “My biggest challenge is leading a group of talented yet diverse professionals in this ever-changing healthcare environment," Wright said. "I love what I do. I have a great team and I’m grateful for the opportunity I’ve been given.” Congratulations, NESHCo member Peter Wright, for your determination and hard work in making it to the C-Suite. |