Campbell County Health's (CCH) Chief Operating Officer (COO) Colleen Heeter has been selected by the system's Board of Trustees as the next CEO. Heeter will replace outgoing CEO Andy Fitzgerald.
Heeter started her current position this past February after moving to Gillette in 2018 to be interim director of the Powder River Surgery Center.
She said her 30 years of health care experience, especially as a nurse, enables her to better understand the needs of all of the employees.
"I believe I have that background of being in the weeds, if you will, performing the task. And I think some people see that if they're willing to scrub a case I think they're able to relate to an administrative person on that side," she said.
In a press release, Board of Trustees Chair Ian Swift said Heeter was the best choice because of her experience within the health system.
"We feel fortunate to have found an excellent candidate like Ms. Heeter, who already understands the organization, appreciates the community, and has proven her effectiveness in a leadership role. I look forward to her continuing to grow and develop the organization while offering guidance to the excellent team surrounding her," Swift said.
Heeter said she will be focusing on four main areas when she becomes CEO.
"[I'll be] really looking at patient satisfaction, it's looking at the public health sector, do we really have a healthy community and are they provided for by the health care entity or hospital that's here. Price transparency, and then really the health care team's overall ability to handle the stress and take care of themselves," she said.
Current CEO Fitzgerald said he'll use the months before his retirement to help Heeter prepare to take over.
"Ms. Heeter will be a great leader at CCH, and I look forward to watching her, and the organization, continue to grow and provide excellent care to our community," he said.
Heeter will begin her new position starting July 1.
Have a question about this story? Contact the reporter, Catherine Wheeler, at cwheel11@uwyo.edu
