David Elgarico
Number of employees you oversee: 1,200
Brief background of your business:
Trios Health started as Kennewick General Hospital in 1952. KGH moved to the current location 10 years ago and was renamed Trios Health in 2013. In 2018, Trios changed owners and is now owned by Lifepoint Health. At that time, Lifepoint also acquired Lourdes Health. Today, Lourdes Health and Trios Health proudly serve the Tri-Cities in meeting our mission of making communities healthier.
How did you land your current role? How long have you been in it?
I learned of the opportunity shortly after my father, who lives in Tacoma, was diagnosed with cancer. Timing was perfect for me to get closer to family during this time of need, and I have been in the current role for a year and four months.
With the health care industry continually facing staffing shortages, what measures is Trios taking to improve hiring and retention?
We offer tuition reimbursement. We partner with local schools for student rotations and clinical residencies, including, family medicine and internal medicine physician residents.
What steps is Trios taking to help address the mental health crisis in our community?
We utilize Lourdes Behavioral Health, which offers inpatient and outpatient behavioral health services.
What do you see as the community’s greatest health care needs? What is your plan to meet these needs?
The greatest health care need in the Tri-Cities is behavioral health. On Aug. 1, Lourdes Counseling Center was renamed to Lourdes Behavioral Health to highlight the focus.
What is one characteristic that you believe every leader should possess?
Ownership. I believe when leaders see an opportunity, they should own it. For example, if there is a problem identified, then leaders should feel empowered to fix it and not wait for instructions. See it. Own it. Do it.
What is the biggest challenge facing business managers today?
Specifically in health care, staffing is the biggest challenge. The demand is high and supply is low.
If you had a magic wand, what would you change about your industry?
I would increase reimbursement to offset the growing cost of care.
What advice would you give someone going into a leadership position for the first time?
Keep an open mind, be humble and have many mentors.
Who are your role models or mentors and why?
My role models are former leaders throughout the different stages of my career who have given me honest feedback, guidance and advice when I needed it – and sometimes when I didn’t want to hear it!
How do you keep your employees motivated?
With aligned values and through communication and relationships. I need to keep myself updated on what is important to them so that our goals and objectives align.
How did you decide to pursue the career that you are working in today?
By nature, I am altruistic and growing up with sports, I was always looked upon to take the leadership role. When I was younger, my brother and I attended a picnic at a hospital where my mother was a nurse. On the volleyball court at the picnic, I was intrigued by the interactions with hospital employees and an individual, who I later learned was the CEO. That led me to setting an appointment with the CEO and asking him two questions: What do you do and how did you get here? Leadership and health care was a natural fit.
How do you measure success in your workplace?
There are two kinds of successes. First, we have multiple metrics we compare against, such as patient experience, employee satisfaction and market share. Second, is through interacting with the employees, patients and family members. Through that engagement, we can determine the level of success of our culture.
What do you consider your leadership style to be?
Stay rooted to core values. A relationship-based leader with a competitive mindset.
How do you balance work and family life?
I am intentional in making time for family. I enjoy watching my kids at their sports events.
What do you like to do when you are not at work?
I love to play beach volleyball and I love to barbecue. Low and slow is the name of the game!
What’s your best time management strategy?
I am constantly prioritizing during the day, every day.
Best tip to relieve stress?
More beach volleyball and more barbecue.
Favorite app?
My favorite app is NBA and CNN for what is happening in the world.
Do you have a personal mantra, phrase or quote you like to use?
Why not me? Decisions are made at the table. We before me.