Coffee Break: Michael Hartke, president of Northwest Community Healthcare in Arlington Heights
Q: Describe your company.
A: Northwest Community Healthcare (NCH), now part of NorthShore - Edward-Elmhurst Health, has been proud to part of the fabric of our community since 1959 (after all, it's in our name). NCH is comprised of a 509-bed hospital, 23 physician office locations, five immediate care centers, seven physical rehab sites and 13 lab locations.
Annually, we serve more than 200,000 outpatients and treat more than 20,000 inpatients. The mission of NorthShore - Edward-Elmhurst Health is to "help everyone in our communities be their best," and the team at NCH strives to do that each and every day.
Q: Do you plan to hire any additional staff or make any significant capital investments in your company in the next year?
A: Northwest Community is continuing to grow, and most importantly, we can't grow, thrive and do what we do without our amazing team members.
As a system, we are focused on being a workplace of choice for those interested in health care, and we are always looking for team members who share in our mission. When you think of health care, you automatically think of nursing and patient care technician roles, but we have opportunities in many areas like lab, radiology, housekeeping and even corporate functions. The great thing about working in health care is that we all work as a team to provide the best experience for the patient.
Q: What will your company's main challenges be in the next year?
A: Healthcare continues to emerge from the pandemic and the many challenges that COVID-19 created for our communities. In addition, similar to many industries, we must keep pace with inflationary pressures on both wages and costs of goods.
Q: What's the hottest trend in your industry?
A: Our industry continues to aggressively pursue opportunities in technology that assist us in elevating and improving the quality of care we provide while simultaneously identifying opportunities to address rising costs. Additionally, we are working with secondary and postsecondary educational institutions to develop the workforce we need today as well as in the future.
Q: If you had one tip to give to a rookie executive, what would it be?
A: How about three? Be kind, exercise patience and focus on building a great team.
Q: From a business outlook, whom do you look up to?
A: I had the good fortune of working for NCH CEO Steve Scogna for many years before his recent retirement. He is - and was - an inspirational leader, trusted businessperson and friend.
Q: What is one interesting fact about you or your company that most people may not know?
A: There is a significant number of volunteers that support our mission every day. We simply couldn't run as well without them, so I want to thank them for their wonderful efforts. We also have an employee choir, which is both interesting and entertaining. Personally, as other tall-statured folks can agree, we always get asked about sports. Yes, I played basketball for the NIU Huskies back in the day.
Q: Was there a moment in your career that didn't go as you had planned? What lesson did you learn from it?
A: Too many to count, and I have learned that's part of the job. I have learned that very few things go exactly as you plan but everything that happens is an opportunity to learn and grow.
Q: What do you like to do in your free time?
A: Spend time with family, preferably outdoors.
Q: What book is on your nightstand?
A: The Daily Stoic, by Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman.
Q: What keeps you up at night?
A: Supporting the health and well-being of the providers and staff at NCH. They are amazing people that do amazing work each and every day.
Q: If you were not doing this job, what do you think you would be doing?
A: Perhaps I would have a dream job as a professional basketball player, but I do feel as if there's nothing else I'd rather be doing than working with an amazing team to bring health care to our community.
Q: What was your first paying job?
A: I worked detasseling corn growing up in central Illinois.
Q: If you could put your company name on a sports venue, which one would you choose?
A: A new Bears Stadium in Arlington Heights.
Q: Two people to follow on Twitter and why. (besides your company).
A: While I'm not on Twitter, I am active on LinkedIn. I follow J.P. Gallagher, who is the President and CEO of NorthShore - Edward-Elmhurst Health and follow the leaders and pages of the American Hospital Association and the CDC to keep current on industry trends.