It has been a few weeks since he officially got introduced, but South Lincoln Medical Center has a new CEO in Dave Ryerse.

He says he grew up in a bigger area and always knew he wanted to do something in healthcare. He found a passion for the business and administration side of the industry. He worked with the University of Utah Healthcare and knew he wanted to have some leadership roles.

“I ended up going to Washington State University,” Ryerse said. “And that was kind of the first experience where I had more exposure to the rural aspects and that was very eye-opening to me.”

He says this gave him the motivation to find more ways to serve and help in those smaller areas.

“That fit my lifestyle and my skillset,” Ryerse said.

After moving from Washington state he came to Rawlins, Wyoming. He worked at Memorial Hospital of Carbon County for several years in various positions. From there opportunities took him to Scobey, Montana.

“I would say to the folks Montana and Wyoming are very much similar when it comes to the rural challenges we have,” Ryserse said. “Very much so in our rural hospitals.”

He also served at a hospital in Columbus, Montana most recently and so he points out he understands the area and needs to a degree already.

He says one great thing about rural hospitals is the team members.

“South Lincoln has a great group of team members and caregivers here,” Ryerse said. “That’s what unique and special about rural healthcare in general is the dedication that comes from that.

“These are our neighbors, these are our friends, these are all those individuals we see in the grocery store. That level of concern and passion and wanting to become better each day is kind of inherent.”

He says he will remain focus on Kemmerer and the surrounding areas and see what the hospital can provide. One challenge he says exist is the ability to recruit and that is what he is currently working on.