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Braman is new hospital CEO
His name is Wesley B. Braman. On Thursday, he took the helm of Nevada Regional Medical Center as its new chief executive officer.
“The family pronounces it bray-men, but I’ll answer to anything close,” said the new CEO. “And call me Wes,” he said as the interview got underway in his office early Friday morning.
It did not take long for the first of what he calls “Wes-isms” came out.
“In construction, there’s a crowbar and there’s rebar, both are needed,” began Braman. “It’s the same with people. You can be the kind of person who’s a crowbar, who always tears things down or you can be the rebar who builds things up. Which are you going to be?”
He paused and then added, “I and Freeman are here to be the rebar. We’re here to build this hospital up. I’ve been here just a day but I know for a fact, an absolute fact, this hospital has huge potential.”
This led to a second statement, one he had shared with a large staff meeting on Thursday.
“The success of Nevada Regional Medical Center is on the people that are already here,” said Braman.
He spoke of how a team of 12-14 people from Freeman is coming to evaluate, make recommendations and advise but he said the success lies with the people who deliver the care.
Said Braman, “The success here is going to borne on the people that work here, the patients who choose to come here and all those who call this area home. We’re [Freeman] just going to be part of facilitating and making that happen.”
Looking out his office window, the light from the newly installed electronic sign caught his eye with the hospital’s name and its rotating list of services being displayed to travelers along South Ash Street.
“But any glory that’s given will be given directly back to the people here that do the work,” said Braman.”
Born in 1962 in Kansas City, with the last name of Gochenour, his mother was killed in an auto accident when he was but seven.
“My father couldn’t take care of my four sisters and me and so some went to live with family and I got to live in foster care,” said Braman.
While he said there were some trying times such as when he was in a boys home at age 9 and 10, it quickly became clear Braman’s experience in foster care was positive.
He particularly was grateful to J.C. and Doris Braman and Church and Kelly Spellman for instilling in him what he termed “a love to learn.”
“I was a rebellious kid and wanted to fight just about everything,” said Braman. “’Why do I have to read and learn?’ But they were able to plant this message in me: ‘Until you love to learn you’ll never be successful.’ And I’m still learning.”
Graduating from Labette County High School he went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Pittsburg State University in 1987.
Braman began his career by working for four years as an insurance underwriter at what is commonly known as the Western Insurance Company in Ft. Scott before moving to Joplin and working four years as an insurance agent.
Following a one year stint as a sales manager for a Joplin printing company, in 1996, Braman began three years as a business development manager for what was then St. John’s Hospital.
Following a change in top executives, Braman was recruited by and went over to Freeman, where he rose to being vice president of business development.
Braman told about two significant changes in the past decade.
“I was saved about 10 years ago and coming to faith has brought me a real peace and sense of purpose, of really wanting to serve people,” said Braman.”
The other change goes back to his foster care experience. When he said it was positive, he meant it.
“My wife was part of one of the foster families I lived with,” said Braman. “In that sense, we go way back.”
The new CEO and his wife each were previously married with a total of eight children between them, ranging in age from 28 down to 10.
While the financial and systems review is being performed within the first 90 days, as required by the Nevada City Council and in turn, by the hospital’s bond trustee, Braman will use the time to familiarize himself with personnel, systems and current management issues.
Once the report and recommendations are issued, it will be Braman, working with the city council, bond trustee, NRMC board of directors as well as the leadership of Freeman to implement the agreed-upon recommendations.
Braman said he looks forward to providing the public with an honest in-depth look at the various issues the hospital faces as it goes forward.
His closing remarks began with another of his “Wes-isms.”
Said Braman, “One thing I’ve always shared with my children is that we can’t change yesterday, as much as we want to try. And we can hope for tomorrow but what we have is our actions today.”
The new CEO shared his appreciation for the openness and the desire to do better as well as a sincere desire for the hospital to succeed by everyone he has met. He said this was more than wanting to make a profit or move the level of cash to where it needs to be.
“But already, I’ve seen a real commitment by the board, the doctors I’ve met and the staff of this place to do well so they can help meet this community’s healthcare needs today. Again, we can hope for tomorrow but what we have is our actions today. Let’s get to work.”