With 50 years at Willis-Knighton behind him, CEO and President James K. Elrod foresees the best is yet to come for one of the community’s leading health care facilities. In this Forum exclusive interview, Elrod shares insight on his 50 years at WK.

Q: After 50 years, what is the highlight of your accomplishments at WK?

Elrod: “The thing I am most proud of is Willis-Knighton’s phenomenal growth over the past 50 years. It wasn’t always easy, but generations of loyal WK employees, physicians and supporters worked tireless to make this health system what it is today. I still marvel at our progress since 1965 when I arrived. Willis-Knighton Medical Center, then named Willis-Knighton Memorial Hospital, was a nearly bankrupt 60-bed hospital. Now our health system boasts four urban hospitals along with three rural affiliates, 1,192 patient beds, over 6,400 employees, a comprehensive physician network of 460 providers and the most advanced medical technology in the region. Recently, our health system was named by a leading health care publication as the nation’s 37th largest by bed count and also one of the top health systems in the country for patient satisfaction.

Equally important to me has been WK’s commitment to the community. The WK mantra has always been ‘you will never have a perfect day until you do something for someone who cannot afford to repay you.’ Since 1979, WK has tithed its financial bottom line – donating time, services and money to a variety of local charities and community organizations. For many of these organizations, WK’s financial support is essential to funding their daily operations. These organizations’ efforts augment the services offered by WK and help accomplish our mission ‘to continuously improve the health and well-being of the people we serve.’”

Q: As health care is changing, how do you keep on the forefront of change?

Elrod: “You’re right about change. I’ve seen a lot of change since I began my career. Medicare and Medicaid were innovations when I started at WK in 1965. Both changed the face of health care as government and insurance companies became more and more involved in medicine. What do we at WK do to stay ahead of change? We embrace it and adapt to meet the challenges of the future. And we follow our own path. I have always believed the old adage that ‘only dead fish swim with the stream.’ We’ve seen fads and fashions in health care come and go, but we’ve always stayed true to our values and beliefs. Innovation from within is often a powerful tool for success.”

Q: Where do you see yourself in five years?

Elrod: I see myself leading the WK team into the future. I can’t see myself anywhere else. Some say if you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life, and that’s how I have been. Working with the physicians and staff members at WK every day inspires me to continue dreaming about what can be accomplished in the future. While there is no doubt that WK has seen tremendous growth in the last 50 years, I believe the best is yet to come.

Q: Did you ever see yourself at WK for 50 years when you started ?

Elrod: “Truthfully, at the time, I was far too busy to even think in those terms. I was fresh out of a hospital administration program at Washington University’s School of Medicine and a residency in Jackson, Miss. In school, my professors always encouraged us ‘to take a hospital on its back, and make it successful.’ I knew I could make a difference here at WK. I love a challenge and definitely had inherited one at the time of my hire in 1965. As the hospital began to grow, I encountered more challenges, more opportunities and more accomplishments. I can truthfully say there have not been many dull moments in my career. Knowing that each day brings a different twist is what keeps me energized and excited about the future of health care.”

Q: What do you look forward to happening this year at WK?

Elrod: “I’m excited about our new project at the former Doctors Hospital. It’s gratifying to be able to restore and renew a building that’s been vacant for years, turning it into something of great value for Shreveport-Bossier and Northwest Louisiana. The Doctors Hospital renovation is similar to the project we completed a year ago at the old Bossier Medical Center. That building was transformed from an abandoned hospital into the nation’s largest private virtual hospital for clinical training, along with a complete conference center, career institute, medical museum and centralized business office. The community can expect a similar transformation of the Doctors’ facility. I think everyone will be excited about what we have planned for the future use of this historic hospital.

“I also look forward to enhancing our relationship with the LSU School of Medicine. Over the past 25 years, WK has contributed over $100 million in support of programmatic partnerships and initiatives that have raised the level of health care services for all in our community. Supporting our medical school in Shreveport and protecting the valuable work it does in training new doctors and health professions is vital for us and the community. A weakened school of medicine in Shreveport would have a negative impact on the regional economy and severely limit the supply of quality physicians available to our state. We all need to rally together to support our medical school to ensure it thrives in the future.”

Q: How are you celebrating 50 years with WK?

Elrod: “I’m going to a conference and plan to have a leisurely drive to the East Coast and back and then spend some relaxing time with my wife and stimulating time with friends, who are also health care executives. I understand that the staff wanted to have a reception for me, but I told them ‘No!’ I’m sure they may have a few surprises up their collective sleeves, but I don’t want it to be a big deal. Why should I celebrate when there is so much more that we can do, so many more challenges to face, so many more opportunities to seize? Save the celebration for my 60th anniversary.”

Q: Could you see yourself doing anything else?

Elrod: “I loved being an Air Force officer. I was commissioned right out of ROTC and served in Japan. Through the Air Force, I learned at an early age about the importance of a mission and the hard work and perseverance it takes to accomplish it. There are many lessons that can be learned from the military that are highly applicable to the private sector. My Air Force years were extremely formidable in that regard. Had I stayed in the Air Force, who knows where I would have ended up in the world. I have always maintained that if you are willing to listen, God will lead you to the place you need to be. Being a part of WK and working with the wonderful employees and physicians of this institution to improve the health of our community is exactly where I was meant to be.”