Meet Bill Lavery, Rotation Advisor

Tell us about your background.
My background is primarily as a hospital executive with non-profit hospitals in Michigan, with ownership by both communities and religious organizations. They ranged in size from 80 to 600 beds. I have consulted with healthcare systems in Kenya, Palestine and the Bahamian Islands. Since retiring, I teach healthcare ethics and other management subjects at Eastern Michigan University and community development in the Saline Leadership Institute, which I co-founded a decade ago.

Why do hospitals use consultants?
Hospitals use consultants for three main reasons. The first is the need for specialized knowledge in making a major decision in a defined time frame. Given time and absent more pressing priorities, executives might gain the needed knowledge themselves. Secondly, when there is a need for depth of experience and wisdom, consultants may be very helpful. And thirdly, consultants provide an outsider perspective to the challenge, which can validate the project and lend credibility for all the key players, which is likely to include medical staff and board members with minds of their own.

How does someone become a hospital administrator?
One becomes a hospital administrator (or executive) very often by acquiring a master’s degree in healthcare management, or related studies as well as membership in a professional association such as the American College of Healthcare Executives. Entry positions in management will also require related work experience.