Serving Proudly As The Voice Of Valley County Since 1913
Will Assume Role Oct. 1
Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital (FMDH) Board has announced the appointment of Nickolas "Nick" Dirkes as the new chief executive officer, after an extensive nationwide search lead by COORS Leadership Capital, based out of North Carolina. According to Dirkes, there were approximately 400 responses to the advertisement, with 100 applications received. The applications were narrowed down to 10 and then physicians, hospitals leaders and the FMDH Board further narrowed it down to four applicants to interview on site. Dirkes will assume his new role of CEO on Oct. 1, following the retirement of current CEO Randy Holom.
Dirkes has called Glasgow and FMDH home since 2006, when he was first hired on as the marketing director. Since then, he has had a number of different roles throughout the years, spending the past few years as the hospital's director of strategic planning. "I came to Glasgow for the job and I have been here ever since. This is home," stated Dirkes.
He was born in southern California, "I know....the C word!" laughed Dirkes, and moved to Phillipsburg, Mont., when he was seven. Glasgow was not completely foreign territory when he relocated however as his great-grandfather was born in Glasgow and his great-grandmother was from the Watford City/Williston area and came to Glasgow during the Fort Peck dam days. He graduated from Montana State University – Bozeman with his bachelor of arts degree in 2004 and received his master's in healthcare administration from Montana State University – Billings in 2010.
He admits being a CEO was never a life goal, as when he graduated high school he didn't know what he wanted to do. He had a lot of interests, but it wasn't until he started his major in business, he found the right blend of numbers and creative opportunities that would cement a career. "I was a job hopper during high school and college. I would master a job, and then move on because I got bored," reflected Dirkes. He has always had aspirations to being a helper, and by being at FMDH he has found many opportunities to help the people who help others. "Help is what we do as an organization. I can't imagine working anywhere else now. If it wasn't for the experiences I have had, I wouldn't have realized the passion I have," he said.
After being a part of the Glasgow community and FMDH for 16 years, he cares and is committed to what happens in the future of healthcare within Valley County. He is passionate about access to care and ensuring the residents of Valley County have the services they need. He strongly believes it shouldn't matter where a person gets care, the same level of care one would expect from a bigger city, should be received from a facility within their own community. He decided to vie for the CEO position in order to advance the great things the facility is already doing while also increasing the services that are being offered.
"I want to continue to provide the services the community deserves. I want to make sure we keep going forward and capitalizing what we are doing so far. It's vital to provide services to the community," he explained. Though he has some services in mind he would like to add, he is also interested in learning what the community would like to see in the future. "I see what the needs are, but what the community needs is also important. I want to be able to keep an open dialogue, letting me know what is working well, and sharing thoughts," Dirkes said.
In his free time, he loves spending time at the lake, and traveling. His two golden retrievers also keep him busy with spending time outside and exercising. He admits he loves doing yard work, which was probably seeded in him at a young age when he would receive a candy bar and pop after helping his dad when he was younger. He also enjoys being creative, reading and following his nieces and nephews in their endeavors. Though he is in between serving on volunteer boards, he helped co-found the Valley Care Coalition, which is a passion for him, and has been on the School Board, Fort Peck Fine Arts Council and the Chamber. He also has volunteered his time at the Pioneer Museum.
He anticipates walking in on his first official day, Oct. 3, will be a new experience, and he is excited for this new role. He believes his experiences and educations have prepared him to be successful and can't wait to see what the future will hold.
If you would like to submit feedback on what services you would like to see added to FMDH, you can submit your feedback on the FMDH website, http://www.fmdh.org/contact-us/ or email [email protected].
Reader Comments(0)