Ask Rick Toomey

Beaufort Memorial Hospital | Affiliated with Duke University Health System in heart and cancer

Ask Rick Toomey, CEO of Beaufort Memorial Hospital

Rick Toomey Welcomes You to Beaufort Memorial Hospital

What made you decide to take on this job?
I saw a great organization that I believe can reach even higher goals in meeting the needs of the community, and the timing was right. My wife and I planned to retire one day to the Lowcountry coast. One daughter has graduated from college, the second is in college and our youngest daughter is a senior in high school, so we felt this would be a good move. Now, we can live where we will retire in 10-15 years.

Do you think a not-for-profit hospital is different from a for-profit hospital?
Certainly there is a difference. Most hospitals nationwide—85-90%—are not-for-profit. Not-for-profit hospitals reinvest all of their net income into the communities they serve, rather than distributing it to individual owners or shareholders. Being a not-for-profit offers both benefits and challenges.

The benefits are that we are exempt from property taxes, and we can receive philanthropic donations and government grants. The primary challenge is the difficulty of raising adequate capital to fund infrastructure and keep pace with technological advances. This is especially difficult when it is coupled with the responsibility of being the health care safety net for the poor and the uninsured.

What led you to a career in healthcare?
My father was CEO of the Greenville Hospital System in Greenville, SC. All my life, I have been around people in healthcare. I think people who choose healthcare careers—especially those in patient care—have a calling. It is inspiring to me to be around them. My interest was not in science; but in business. So, being on the administrative side seemed like a perfect fit for me.

Do you have any goals for the first 3-6 months?
Yes, I want to get out there and meet as many people as I can. I want to hear from employees, doctors, patients, family members, community leaders and the general public. Our community hospital is here to serve them, and I need to hear what they feel their needs are and their expectations for BMH.

How has your family reacted to the move?
They have been very supportive. My daughters knew we had plans to move to the SC coast, so they are fine with it. My wife is a nephrologist (kidney specialist) in a multi-specialty group practice in Rocky Mount. She will stay up there until July, when our youngest daughter graduates from high school and her partners have recruited a new nephrologist. Then, she is moving to Beaufort.

Did you know about the Beaufort area before you heard of this opportunity?
I’ve known about the beauty of Beaufort all my life. My family would come down this way for vacations, and my wife and I have a place at Kiawah Island. These surroundings make me feel at peace.