2013 Dynamic Dozen Top Local Executive: Donald Babb

Donald Babb was with Citizens Memorial Hospital before there was even a hospital to call home. As CEO of the Bolivar-based health care organization since 1981, Babb was there when the first shovel of dirt was turned and he’s seen the hospital through numerous renovations and expansions during his 32 years at the helm.

“I enjoy what I do every day and that’s rare to find,” he says. “When you find something you love, you stick with it. I have no plans to retire anytime soon.”

Under Babb’s leadership, CMH started with just three doctors and 70 employees and the organization has grown to include 1,702 employees and a medical staff of nearly 200.

“The people are what make any hospital great,” he says. “The patients come to us because we are more than just their doctors and nurses, we are their friends and neighbors.”

Prior to taking the reins as CEO, Babb was the executive director of the Citizens Memorial Health Care Foundation and executive director of Riverside Management and Rehabilitation in Bolivar.

A mentor to new employees throughout the years, Babb says he believes in a participative management style, especially as the health care system develops its strategic planning process.

“It is wonderful to be able to watch as CMH physicians and staff work as a team to achieve strategic goals,” Babb says, noting CMH has completed the first five years of its strategic plan and is beginning work on the second five-year phase.

New projects on the horizon for CMH include the Tremain Family Hospitality House, which will provide expanded services for patients receiving treatment at the Carrie J. Babb Cancer Center, addition of the Kerry and Synda Douglas Medical Center and an expansion of the Dallas County Medical Center to better meet the needs of Buffalo residents.

Babb says he isn’t only concentrated on improving CMH, but the Bolivar community as well.

CMH originally had four areas of emphasis – known as flagpoles of excellence – composing service, finance, people and quality. Under Babb’s guidance, in July 2011, CMH added a fifth area, community.

“Although the area of emphasis was recently added, it has always been part of the DNA of CMH,” Babb says. “CMH employees are also leaders in their community and are encouraged to participate in outside activities and to become involved in clubs and organizations.”

Babb also lent his hand to the Medical Excellence Fund, established in 1990 as a perpetual fund to sustain the standards of health care provided by CMH. Since 1993, more than 400 students have received scholarship funds totaling more than $1.6 million to further their education in a health care related field.

Outside the hospital walls, Babb also serves on several boards of directors in the community, including with the Missouri Hospital Association, American Hospital Association regional policy board, Hospital Service Group, Ozarks Technical Community College Physical Therapy assistant program advisory committee, Bolivar Technical Community College, Bolivar Industrial Development Authority and the Bolivar R-1 School District culinary arts advisory board.[[In-content Ad]]