Tanner White, FACHE, CEO of Altru Devils Lake

Tanner White, FACHE, CEO of Altru Devils Lake, shares his journey from a rural North Dakota upbringing to leading a critical access hospital in Devil's Lake, where he now serves as CEO following a recent acquisition by Altru Health. His background in kinesiology and wellness consulting shaped his human-centered approach to healthcare, which he brings to his leadership role. The episode highlights the recent integration of CHI St. Alexis Hospital into the Altru Health system, including the transition to Epic EMR and the challenges of organizational change. White emphasizes two key priorities: keeping care close to home by attracting specialty providers and building a strong, trusting culture to retain staff. He discusses the ongoing workforce shortages and reliance on locum tenens as his biggest challenge, while expressing optimism about the support and resources now available through the Altru network. White also introduces innovative initiatives like the 'community voice coalition' to ensure patient and community input remains central to decision-making. Looking ahead, he envisions expanding specialty services, increasing patient volume, and capturing untapped market share in the region's western areas. Key takeaways include the importance of culture in rural healthcare leadership, the strategic value of system integration for resource access, the need for community engagement in healthcare planning, and the long-term vision of bringing specialty care to rural populations. White’s story underscores how personal mission, community connection, and organizational partnership can drive transformation in underserved areas.