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Kennedy retires after over 19 years at RPMH |
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Written by Amanda Moreno
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Sunday, 05 April 2009 |
Each career has its average term for occupation, when it comes to hospital administration, the term is usually around four and a half years. Tom Kennedy broke that mold and served as the Rolling Plains Medical Hospital administrator for nineteen and a half years.
"It's funny how I ended up in this career. Senior year, I was in ROTC, and had to decide which branch I wanted to be in, I picked the armory, but didn't qualify. I was signed up for the Medical Service Corps instead," Kennedy said.
Tom Kennedy was born and raised in Florida. He graduated high school and college and went on to further his education in the District of Columbia. He moved his family to Sweetwater in 1989.
Kennedy had worked in quite a few hospitals before coming to Sweetwater. He had worked in Florida, Arkansas and even a Houston Hospital. He found his way to Sweetwater by chance.
"We weren't all that happy with the schools and the town that we were living in, in Arkansas, and I called a friend, Mike Waters from Abilene, and asked if he knew about any jobs opening and he pointed me towards Rolling Plains," Kennedy said.
Kennedy landed in his new job and fell in love with not only the job, but the town itself. His wife worked at TSTC for about 11 years. According to Kennedy, this field is a lifetime career path.
ROTC is what got him started on this path, but the choice to continue was his. After his service in the Army he was in Miami for three years, and then went on to receive his Master of Arts in Health Care Administration.
"My original goal was high school, college, army and then go on to law school. Many of my friends took that path, but I believe that I ended up where I should have been. It's a very interesting job and I don't regret any of it," Kennedy said.
According to Kennedy, the nineteen and a half years at Rolling Plains has gone by very easily. He loves the hospital and the people that he works with.
"The thing I will miss most is being around the people. I enjoy coming to work and enjoy the people on the staff, the board members, all of them," Kennedy said.
According to Kennedy, the hospital will be keeping him on as a consultant for another year.
Chairman of the Nolan County Hospital Board, Carlos Alvarado, said that they don't want to see Kennedy go. They tried to get him to stay, but it didn't work. They would love for him to do more, but they will take him as a consultant for a year.
Kennedy said this is a good thing because he will be able to stay on the Texas Hospital Insurance Exchange board, for another year.
During his time at the hospital, Kennedy was able to play a part in the Emergency Care Center, that was built four years ago, and he was able to take part in the physical therapy addition that they made about 10 years ago.
"I'm glad that I was able to play a part in setting up a good team of managers, improving the finances and bringing in new facilities as we needed them," Kennedy said.
According to Kennedy, when he stepped into his position nineteen and half years ago, the financial situation needed improvement. Since then the hospital has been able to make additions and improvements to the hospital without adding debt on and actually has brought finances to the positive side.
"He has helped this hospital be able to provide not only the best medicine, but also a high quality of food. It's nutritious and it tastes good. He has also helped us to increase our funds into a surplus," Alvarado said.
One problem that Kennedy said that he did have to deal with was keeping the hospital fully staffed.
"It's not one of those problems that you can fix and wipe your hands off. It was a constant worry that keeps you on pins and needles until the positions are filled," Kennedy said.
Alvarado said that employees do not leave the hospital because of the environment, sometimes it's just that they get a better offer. Since Kennedy arrived, the atmosphere at the hospital has improved.
"He has been such a positive affect on us. When we get together, for work or a social function, it's as if you are with family. He has helped make our job easier by creating this positive atmosphere to work in," Alvarado said.
Another enjoyment of Kennedy's was being able to be on the board with the mayor, county judge, SISD superintendent and TSTC.
"It was a great opportunity to be a part of that and it was nice to be able to play ball with the ‘big’ kids," Kennedy said.
Kennedy originally planned on retiring at 62, but enjoyed the job so much that he kept putting it off. Finally, the time just seemed right and he feels that he needs to take time and enjoy life.
"We love to travel and that's probably what we will try and do. Sweetwater is a great location. You can reach a lot of places within a day or so," Kennedy said.
According to Kennedy it has been an honor and a pleasure to be part of the Rolling Plains Memorial Hospital. He said that he wants to thank all of those in the community.
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Last Updated ( Monday, 06 April 2009 )
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