JCHC’s McCallister Gives Resignation

Johnson County Healthcare Center CEO Sean McCallister has given his resignation which will be effective in a few months, according to a release from the JCHC, dated Friday.

McCallister said he is resigning due to personal reasons, saying, “the decision to leave is based on the need to be closer to family. As our parents age and their health becomes more fragile, and as our children marry and start their own families, my wife and I need more time with them. Life is simply too short.”

McCallister was hired as the CEO in March 2019, coming to Buffalo from McCall, Idaho, where he was the site administrator for St. Luke’s Health System.

He has also lived and worked in Alaska, where he held multiple hospital administrator roles.

The JCHC was dealing with financial issues when he arrived, but in two years he has improved the financial and operational stability of the facility.

According to the release, during his tenure the JCHC increased focus on quality, safety and service, provided higher wages for entry-level positions, enhanced operational efficiency, optimized Medicare cost reporting, improved billing and reimbursement, eliminated discretionary expenses, upgraded to 3D mammography, transformed its physician staffing and compensation model, created a hospitalist program, hired additional providers, stabilized emergency room coverage and progressed its master site plan.

McCallister said, “I am extremely proud of our accomplishments and progress the past two years. Balancing fiscal stewardship with responsible growth has been key to our success.”

McCallister also led the team that managed JCHC’s successful COVID pandemic response, completed $3.1 million worth of COVID-related construction and remodel projects and prevented a COVID outbreak at Amie Holt Care Center.

He said, “It has been the utmost privilege serving at JCHC and working with such a capable team and board of trustees. JCHC is more stable due to our hard work, gritty decision-making, strategic action and teamwork. It has been humbling, educational, exhilarating and satisfying.”

McCallister will leave JCHC in a few months and will begin his new position in Idaho running an ambulatory surgery center.

He and the Johnson County Hospital District Board of Trustees will begin discussing a transition plan this week.