The THA Pioneer Award, which honors a rural hospital CEO who demonstrates creative and innovative leadership in the organization and community he or she serves. Simons was recognized Jan. 22 at the THA 2015 Annual Conference and Expo in Austin.
“Janice has shown remarkable leadership since she became CEO four years ago, and I am pleased we are able to recognize her accomplishments,” said Ted Shaw, THA president/CEO. “She always puts the patients of rural Medina County first and has led her hospital through challenging times to emerge stronger than ever.”
“It is humbling and heartwarming to receive this award,” Simons said. “THA’s Rural Hospital Constituency Section is amazing. I have been blessed to learn from and work with many of the CEOs in this group. I would like to thank THA and these individuals for teaching me so much.”
Simons began her career as a nurse in Houston and has moved up at the ranks at hospitals in Texas, Mississippi and Oklahoma. When she arrived at Medina Regional Hospital in 2011, the facility was in trouble financially. It had only five days’ worth of cash on hand and was in danger of closing its doors. Simons and her team immediately went to work righting the hospital’s financial situation. She realized some cost savings by having the hospital join a large group purchasing plan. To increase the revenue stream, she focused on the swing bed program, recruited numerous specialists, and improved billings and collections at the hospital by reorganizing that department and making it more efficient.
Simons has made it easier for patients to be seen at the system’s rural clinics by expanding clinic hours and hiring additional staff. She also has prioritized expanding specialty care in the county. The system opened a second specialty clinic and now has 22 specialists, with more continuing to come on board. She also works to implement new programs and technology throughout the system.