Omar Lists Improving Access As Top Priority For Northwest

STAFF PHOTO J.T. Wampler Sharif Omar, new CEO of Northwest Health System, works Tuesday in his Springdale office.
STAFF PHOTO J.T. Wampler Sharif Omar, new CEO of Northwest Health System, works Tuesday in his Springdale office.

SPRINGDALE -- Improving access to medical care is at the top of the list for Northwest Health System's new leader.

Sharif Omar took over as the health system's chief executive officer Aug. 18.

At A Glance

Omar’s Resume

• Northwest Health System: CEO since Aug. 18.

• Pottstown Memorial Medical Center, Pottstown, Pa.: CEO March 2011-August; chief operating officer, November 2009-March 2011.

• Medical Partners International, Destrehan, La.: senior vice president, December 2008-November 2009.

• Southwest Medical Center, Lafayette, La.: chief operating officer, June 2006-December 2008.

• Tulane University Hospital & Clinic, New Orleans: associate vice president, January 2006-June 2006; operations manager, October 2001-January 2005.

Source: Staff Report

"I truly believe if you take care of a patient and their family, that is all that matters," he said. "Everything else will fall into place."

Things are also falling into place for Omar personally. The move to Northwest Arkansas gets the Louisiana native closer to his roots.

"I can find my sweet tea everywhere," he said with a smile.

Omar comes to Northwest Arkansas from Pennsylvania where he spent the past three years as chief executive officer of Pottstown Memorial Medical Center, a 224-bed hospital.

Nashville-based Community Health System owns Northwest and Pottstown Memorial.

Northwest Health System operates Northwest Medical Centers in Springdale and Bentonville, Willow Creek Women's Hospital in Johnson and 40 clinics in Northwest Arkansas.

"This is what we are used to. Living in Philadelphia was like being a fish out of water," he said.

Omar earned a bachelor's degree in biology from Louisiana State University-Shreveport and a master's in health administration from Tulane University in New Orleans.

His extended family lives in Louisiana and his wife, Nassima, has family in Dallas. The couple has two children: Mariam, 2, and Adam, 3 months.

Omar started his professional career at Tulane University Hospital and Clinic and was an associate vice president when Hurricane Katrina hit in August 2005. He was charged with moving patients to safety during the hurricane.

"I lived on the roof for five days," he said. "I learned you only need the basics to survive."

Omar said the Hurricane Katrina experience also helped him learn patience. He points to being humble, honest and aggressive as characteristics that have guided him.

"You can't wait for things to come to you; you have to go get it," he said.

He plans to be aggressive when it comes to improving access to care for patients, be it through expanded locations and hours or providing more services.

It all comes down to providing the highest quality care possible, he said.

"Before, everyone worked in their own silo," Omar said. "It takes teamwork, and everyone has to work together."

Perry Webb, president and chief executive officer of the Springdale Chamber of Commerce, said he looks forward to continued collaboration with the hospital's leadership. He said Northwest is Springdale's second largest employer and has a huge impact on the community's economy.

"Their leadership over time has been very stable and engaged," Webb said. "Knowing their corporate philosophy, I am confident that will continue."

Northwest has 1,833 employees across the system, including 380 clinic workers. Of that total, 1,461 positions are considered clinical, meaning they have direct access to patient care. Northwest clinics employ 97 physicians.

Omar replaces Dan McKay, who took over Aug. 25 as chief executive officer of Sparks Health System in Fort Smith. McKay had held Northwest Health's top position since April 2010.

Community Health Systems also owns Sparks, and McKay spent a week with Omar before heading to Fort Smith.

"Whenever you have those communications, it helps the incoming CEO understand the issues," McKay said. "I was able to give him background and history so he can continue the strategies that are working and point out issues that still need attention."

McKay agreed improving a patient's experience is a key to success.

The American Hospital Association reported earlier this year provider integration is key to improving health care. When medical systems work together, it provides patients with better care, quality and efficiency, the association stated in a March report.

Omar said that means partnering with other organizations at times. Northwest partnered with Arkansas Medical Imaging in Fayetteville and is looking at building a similar relationship in Bentonville.

The relationship Omar and McKay started will also help them work together to expand care options. Both men listed Willow Creek's neonatal intensive care unit as something they will alert Fort Smith patients to immediately. McKay said Sparks, likewise, has a comprehensive stroke center from which Northwest Arkansas patients could benefit.

"We can provide a full continuum of care within our system," Omar said.

NW News on 09/04/2014

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