December 14, 2007
A health care dream fulfilled
Becoming CEO of Genesis culminates a career goal for Douglas Cropper
DAVENPORT, IOWA - In many ways, a few health care encounters as a kid put Douglas Cropper on the path to becoming CEO of Genesis Health System.
Growing up in Salt Lake City, he would go with his father, a dentist, when he volunteered at the local children’s hospital. Father and son would walk the halls, where the humanity of hospital life made an early impression.
As a young boy, he also watched his parents overcome significant health problems. Mom fell gravely ill when he was only 5. Dad underwent major colon surgery when his son was 8; couldn’t work for a year; and yet, managed to defy a major illness.
By age 10, the young Cropper had been so immersed in the highs and lows of health care that he decided to make it his career.
By the time he left graduate school, he had set a goal to one day become a health system CEO.
“For me, the opportunity to come to Genesis is the culmination of a goal I set for myself 20-plus years ago,” Cropper, 48, said this week in a telephone interview from Fairfax, Va. “It’s the opportunity to set the tone and the strategic course for an entire health care system and lead it in a direction that creates excellence, as well as cares for the community.”
The Genesis Health System Board of Directors selected him for the job last week, following an eight-month-long, nationwide search that began when Genesis CEO Leo Bressanelli announced he would retire. Bressanelli has led Genesis since its inception in 1994, with the consolidation of Mercy and St. Luke’s hospitals in Davenport.
Currently, Cropper is executive vice president of Inova Health System, based in Falls Church, Va.; and campus administrator of the 900-bed Inova Fairfax Hospital, named by U.S. News and World Report as one of “America’s 50 Best” hospitals in five specialties. Cropper will lead the Genesis organization, effective March 2008.
“Mr. Cropper comes to us from an excellent health care system, well-respected for its quality and performance,” said Genesis Health System Board Chairman Edwin V. Motto, M.D. “His credentials are impeccable, and he brings with him more than 25 years of health care experience, with jobs ranging from operating room orderly to hospital CEO.
“Doug also believes in the benefits of our community-based regional health care model. Perhaps, most importantly, he shares our values and our passion for the Genesis mission, providing compassionate, quality health services for all those in need.”
A return to the Midwest
For Cropper, the new opportunity brings the chance to return to the Midwest, the Mississippi River and the rich soil that will make his vegetable and flower gardens flourish.
It’s a homecoming of sorts: Lynne, his wife of 26 years, has family in Iowa; and his children – Anne, 21, and twins Mary and Sam, 14 – spent most of their lives in Minnesota.
He is a 1984 graduate of the University of Utah and received a master’s degree in Health Care Administration from the University of Minnesota.
From 1991 to 2003, he held leadership positions with HealthEast, based in St. Paul, Minn. He became administrator of Midway Hospital at the young age of 33. His last assignment with HealthEast was CEO of St. Joseph’s Hospital and health system vice president.
“I went to grad school in Minnesota; fell in love with the Midwest; and, stayed there 16 years until I came to northern Virginia five years ago,” Cropper said. “Northern Virginia is growing extremely fast and is very crowded and congested. Even though I’ve enjoyed being here, I won’t miss the crowds. I’ll enjoy going to the grocery store and being able to find a parking space.
“One of the nice things about the Midwest, and this was true when I lived in the Twin Cities, is that there’s a real sense of community and connection. That’s not true of where I live now, and I’ve really missed that.”
A life-changing event
While living in Minnesota, Cropper experienced a family tragedy that makes him ever mindful of the importance of compassionate health care at life’s most vulnerable moments. He openly tells the story.
“Our daughter, Jane, died after being hit by a car in a parking lot,” he said. “She was 7 at the time. She had just finished ice skating lessons and was coming out of the rink. It was a fluke accident. A car, driven by a 16-year-old, took a blind turn and hit her at a slow speed. It killed her instantly.
“Sadly, the driver left the scene and had to be prosecuted as a hit-and-run driver. It was highly publicized at the time, and a real tragedy for our family.”
Jane would be 19 today, and her father has thought of her every day since her death 12 years ago.
The hospital administrator honors his daughter’s memory by sharing his tragedy with caregivers who deal daily with families in times of crisis.
“I tell people here, and I’ll do the same when I come to Genesis: Almost everyone comes to us in a tragic or crisis situation and is dealing with extreme anxiety – unless of course they’re experiencing the joy of having a baby.”
He added,” Everyone has a story to tell. As I’ve shared this story with others, I’m always amazed at how many people have had tragedy in their life and had to deal with something very difficult. We may get used to it working in health care, but we can never forget that our patients and their families are not used to it.”
His daughter’s death brought his family closer together, he says, so spending time with his wife, Lynne, and their children leads his list of favorite things to do. He also enjoys gardening, tennis, golf and travel.
An Eagle Scout, he has volunteered for years with the Boy Scouts of America and jokes that he has been on “many, many campouts.” Following in his father’s footsteps, his son, Sam, will complete his Eagle Scout project this week.
Cropper looks forward to coming to Genesis and was attracted to its awardwinning staff, its strong financial position and committed local board that reflects the needs of the community. His primary goal, he says, will be to focus on quality and safety.
“Genesis is already a leader in patient care, with a major investment in medical technology to ensure the highest quality of care possible,” he said. “I will support and build on those efforts and lead this organization to national recognition for the quality of the care we provide.”
As for his leadership style, Cropper says the 5,000 employees of Genesis can look forward to an accessible leader who has high expectations of them. “I’ll expect their best, and I’m confident they will give compassion and the very best service to everyone who comes to us in need,” he said.
“I’m approachable. I’ll be there for them. I’ll work hard to be visible. I’ll make sure they have the tools, equipment and resources to do their job.”
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