Hans Driessnack named CEO of Northwest Medical Center-Springdale
by November 13, 2018 3:23 pm 1,091 views
Hans Driessnack has been named CEO of Northwest Medical Center-Springdale. He will start in the position Dec. 3, said Denten Park, market CEO for parent company Northwest Health. Driessnack replaces Tom Sledge, chief operating officer, who left several months ago, and the position was since changed to CEO.
Driessnack has served as chief operating officer for Heartland Regional Medical Center in Marion, Ill., since 2017. Previously, he worked in executive positions in Albuquerque, N.M., Galesburg, Ill., and Marion, Ill. He served at two facilities associated with Lovelace Health System and at Galesburg Cottage Hospital before starting at Heartland.
“Hans has valuable experience in teaching 6 Sigma and other continuous quality improvement methodologies that help to reinforce positive culture development,” Park said. “Focusing on employee engagement and service line development are also key strengths. His experiences and his drive will add value as we seek to grow services, enhance quality and exceed patients’ expectations in Springdale and throughout Northwest Health.”
Dr. Lance Manning, chief of the medical staff, was excited about Driessnack coming to Springdale. “His achievements in — and his passion for — improving quality and customer satisfaction are impressive,” Manning said. “He’s going to be a dynamic leader for our Springdale campus as we continue to grow services and enhance the quality of care.”
Driessnack earned a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management at the University of Alabama. He received an MBA from Indiana University. He’s been a board member for United Way of Knox County and Southern Illinois University Health Care Management School and is a member of Rotary Club. He’s served as a Malcolm Baldrige Quality Award Examiner.
He and his wife, Beth, will move to Northwest Arkansas with their two children.
“I’m excited to come to Springdale to work with the team to improve the quality of lives of the people in the community we serve,” Driessnack said. “A hospital is only as strong as its relationship with the community, so my goal is to strengthen these relationships through enriching every life we encounter.”
Northwest Medical Center-Springdale is a 222-bed facility at 609 W. Maple Ave and is a part of Northwest Health, which also includes Northwest Medical Center — Bentonville, Northwest Medical Center — Willow Creek Women’s Hospital, Siloam Springs Regional Hospital and Northwest Health Physicians’ Specialty Hospital. Combined, the healthcare provider has 487 beds, 540 physicians and 2,200 employees.