September 5 , 2008

Byers bids farewell to HRMC

Cliff Stovall, a member of the Haywood Regional Medical Center governing board, presents a plaque featuring a stethoscope and the message, "You heard the heartbeat when others could not," to outgoing CEO Al Byers during a retirement party in his honor Thursday.

Alton Byers has dedicated most of his life to working in hospitals. Now, after completing one of the greatest challenges of his career for the past six months, Byers is entering into retirement.

Byers previously served as chief operating officer, but agreed to take over as the hospital’s chief executive officer after former CEO David Rice announced his retirement Feb. 25.

Byers said he had no expectations when he took over as CEO. He only knew he had to step up and help the hospital.

“I had to make a decision. I knew if I did not stay, a lot of people would not have a job,” he said. “It was important to me to help stabilize the hospital.”

One would assume dealing with state and federal regulatory people would have been the most difficult part of the six-month ordeal. However, the local media became Byers’ biggest nemesis.

While juggling the tasks of schedules, staff training, putting together a corrective action plan to address the issues cited by the state and federal regulatory agencies, Byers was forced to provide a play-by-play of the hospital’s efforts to the media. Reports proved discouraging, he said.

“It is hard to try to deliver a message of hope when media reports are negative and pessimistic,” Byers said.

The Compass consulting firm was a great help during the recertification efforts, he said.

“But, the real nuts and bolts of our recovery was due to the focus and attention of our employees and our medical staff leadership,” Byers said. “That was absolutely essential to the hospital being where it is today.”

There was also support from county leaders and the community, he said.

“Most importantly, the prayer marches and vigils proved to be the most uplifting thing to me during this very dark period,” Byers said. “The community rally for the hospital in April was a real turning point in morale for our employees. It was most important to see that kind of support on a very rainy day. I’ve always said, this hospital is not the bricks and mortar, it’s people.”

The journey back
State and federal representatives used their influence and expertise to help HRMC meet the regulatory requirements. U.S. Rep. Heath Shuler was one of the first to arrive at HRMC to lend his assistance.

“It was a major pivotal point when Congressman Shuler began putting together a coalition of people in various positions to help the hospital,” Byers said.

Byers’ peers also offered support through phone calls and personal visits during the six-month Medicare crisis.

“I can’t think of anyone better suited to lead Haywood Regional Medical Center through this recertification process,” said Gary Bowers, executive director of the WNC Health Network, which is a collaboration of 39 hospitals and other health care providers in Western North Carolina, when Byers assumed the leadership of HRMC.

“Al’s thorough knowledge of all hospital operations makes him the ideal CEO at this time. Over the years, Al has earned the trust and respect of other Western North Carolina hospitals, which have pledged their support to assist Haywood Regional Medical Center and Al through this process,” Bowers said.

The lowest point came after HRMC’s certification was approved, but Byers then learned that the hospital still had a long way to go before it would get its funding back.

“That was very depressing. I had many sleepless nights,” he said, referring to the  number of obstacles the hospital had to overcome, including applying for new provider numbers  and meeting other  requirements.

Byers said he was confident the hospital would survive the funding crisis, but dealing with unknowns and several setbacks was the downside to the entire experience.

“I knew we would recover. The trick was trying to juggle financials and holding on in the meantime,” he said.

Byers recalls the sadness he felt the Friday before Easter, when he stood on the bank overlooking the hospital and saw only four cars in the parking lot. He walked the empty hallways of the hospital and peered in patient rooms at empty beds.

“That was a very low point for me,” he said.

Having the hospital’s Medicare and Medicaid contracts reinstated was only the first hurdle. Restoring the confidence of the community became an equally challenging prospect. Once again, however, the community demonstrated their overwhelming support for the hospital.

“Patients came back very quickly,” Byers said. The hospital was not prepared for the rapid return of patients. Many nurses had been temporarily laid off or had accepted jobs elsewhere when the hospital lost its federal funding, along with the loss of private insurers.

An ambitious recruiting plan was adopted. As more nurses were hired, more patients were admitted, and the hospital’s finances began improving. By August, the hospital’s parking lot was once again full of cars, and in turn most of the beds were full of patients.

“It was invigorating to see all the new employees who had faith in the hospital and wanted to work here,” Byers said.

Byers was well equipped to lead the hospital’s turnaround. For the past 12 years he served as senior vice president and chief operating officer at Haywood Regional. Prior to that, he was president and CEO of Highlands-Cashier Hospital, and before that served as senior vice president and chief operating officer at Scotland Memorial Hospital. He was administrative director in the lab and then was named chief financial officer, and later vice president, at Harris Regional Hospital in Jackson County in the early years of his career.

Recapping a 36-year career
During the span of his 36-year career in the health field, Byers said he has seen many changes and many medical advancements.

“During my three years as CEO at the Highlands-Cashier Hospital, we moved into a new hospital and an 80-bed nursing home was occupied. I led the development of a strategic plan and helped implement that plan, which included opening a community outreach center in Highlands and recruitment of several physicians and specialists,” Byers said.

While at Scotland Memorial Hospital, Byers led the development of an ambulatory services wing and oversaw the construction of four medical office buildings on the Scotland campus.

Byers, 65, a native of Lincolnton, said his interest and dedication to health care began at an early age.

“My philosophy has always been that people are more important than things.  What I saw early on in my life was that every health care worker cares about people,” he said. “I also believe that if you help others to grow, they will then spread your philosophy. There is no better place to do this than at a hospital.”

Beginning at the age of 18, Byers worked at what was then known as C.J. Harris Hospital while attending Western Carolina University. He later worked as an assistant professor of Health Sciences at WCU.

“I’ve never considered any other career; it’s very rewarding,” Byers said.

Byers received a bachelor of science degree at Western Carolina University and a master’s degree in business administration at the University of South Carolina. He has additional graduate certification in health care and financial management.

He has a nursing home administrator license and has served on the boards for several civic groups, including Crescent, the N.C. Healthcare Executives Workers Compensation Fund board, Haywood County United Way, and Mountain Federal Credit Union.

He is a fellow with the American College of Healthcare Executives, vice president of the WNC Healthcare Forum, past vice president of the Sand Hills Healthcare Forum, and past chairman of District 1 of the N.C. Hospital Association,

He is a member of the Waynesville Rotary Club, was a participant in Leadership Scotland and Leadership Haywood. He was a scoutmaster for eight years and served on the Daniel Boone Council for Boy Scouts of America. He is a member of the Sylva First United Methodist Church and serves as chairman of the church’s finance committee.

Byers enjoys doing mission work with his church and helping build houses with the Habitat for Humanity program.

“I want to do more of that, now that I am retiring. My wife of 46 years, Phyllis, and I want to travel and visit our grandchildren,” Byers said. “I have totally neglected my family for the past few month.”

The Byers have a son, three daughters and five grandchildren.

Byers looks back on his final days as CEO with a sense of wonder. At times, the funding crisis seems like only a bad dream. At other times, he realizes it was an invaluable learning experience — experience he is willing to share with others in similar circumstances.

“I have already accepted two offers to speak to hospital administrative groups to help them understand what happened at Haywood Regional and how they can avoid getting in that situation,” Byers said. “I’m willing to share our experience with others, but I have had to decline offers for me to serve as a consultant. It’s time for rest,” he said.

Although Byers’ official retirement date was Sept. 5, he will continue to work one day a week on Tuesdays until the new CEO takes over Oct. 1.

“There have been many positive changes that have resulted from the funding crisis,” Byers said. “There is a much greater awareness of the governing board and medical staff about the need for quality patient care. There also is a renewed sense of cooperation.”

“Right now, this hospital can stand with any hospital in the nation. While we still have things to accomplish, we’re on the right track. I’m excited that our new CEO, Mike Poore, is coming. He has the energy and vision to move the hospital forward,” Byers said.