2021 Award Winner
ROSS KORKMAS, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, PALO PINTO GENERAL HOSPITAL
The Texas Hospital Association awarded its Pioneer Award to Ross Korkmas, CEO of Palo Pinto General Hospital in Mineral Wells, Texas.
The Texas Hospital Association’s Pioneer Award is given to a CEO/administrator of a rural hospital or health care system who demonstrates creative and innovative management achievements and leadership within the organization and the community. This award is sponsored by the Texas Hospital Insurance Exchange.
Ross Korkmas joined Palo Pinto General Hospital, a 74-bed hospital in Mineral Wells, in 2019 and has proven to be a transformational leader in a short period of time.
In his two-year tenure, Korkmas added multiple new physicians and hospital services at Palo Pinto General Hospital. Some of which include an inpatient tele-pulmonary/critical care program, a school-based telehealth program, infectious diseases specialist program, urology, pediatric clinic and a pain management clinic. By the end of 2021, the ever-expanding hospital also added a new primary care clinic to its system.
Korkmas’ leadership extends beyond the walls of Palo Pinto General Hospital and into the community it serves. Under his leadership, the hospital was recognized as Corporate Partner of the Year by the Mineral Wells Chamber of Commerce in 2020. In addition, the mayor of Mineral Wells recently appointed Korkmas to serve on the Land Use Task Force and is frequently called upon by city leaders for guidance amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Korkmas is regarded as an equally efficient and caring servant leader who is always looking to better the culture of the hospital and listen to new ideas. He took the reins at Palo Pinto General Hospital amid a particularly turbulent period and made a concerted effort to assuage the uncertainty that lingered by continually engaging with existing staff.
His colleagues and staff describe him as “the guy who makes the big decisions, signs on the bottom line for major business dealings, but also sweeps the floor in the ER when staff are spread thin and texts staff on the weekends to check on their sick children.”
History
Created by THA’s Rural Hospital Constituency Council, the Pioneer Award honors a rural hospital administrator or CEO who demonstrates creative and innovative leadership in the organization and community he or she serves.
Every year since 2004, THA has honored one rural hospital CEO with the Pioneer Award. Each recipient has set a standard of excellence in leadership and community service that exemplifies THA’s commitment to the health care industry.