Financial Sustainability of Healthcare Organizations: A Plan of Action

Issues surrounding financial sustainability for healthcare institutions are increasingly complex. In a time when the healthcare system has been challenged in many ways, it has become abundantly clear that having concrete strategies and a proactive financial sustainability plan in place is critical for hospitals and healthcare systems to stay afloat. Within the scope of priorities, this discussion will emphasize the necessity of understanding the key potential and existing operational and cost problem areas for healthcare system growth and sustainability as healthcare providers continue to face future operational, reimbursement, and environmental challenges. The primary goal of this discussion is to provide an overview of the models of current successes and solutions with a focus on a realistic plan of action.

Agenda:

• 7:30am- Registration, Breakfast, & Networking
• 7:50am- Welcome from ACHE (potentially president or committee representative)
• 7:55am- Welcome from host (Good Shepherd representative)
• 8:00am- Education Panel—Financial Sustainability of Healthcare Organizations_ A Plan of Action
• 9:30am-Closing Remarks from ACHE

Moderator: George Roberts, FACHE

Chief Executive Officer

Northeast Texas Public Health District

Panelists:

Roy Finch, FACHE

Vice President of Operations

CHRISTUS Good Shepherd Health System

Wes Knight

Chief Financial Officer

Longview Regional Medical Center

Vern Rennier

Chief Executive Officer

Oceans Healthcare- Longview

Speakers' Bios:

Currently serving as Vice President of Operations at CHRISTUS Good Shepherd Health System, Roy Finch oversees strategic initiatives that improve healthcare delivery, optimize financial performance, and strengthen community trust. As a results-driven healthcare executive with over a decade of leadership experience, Roy is committed to driving operational efficiency, enhancing patient outcomes, and fostering high-performing teams.

Throughout his career, Roy has led transformational improvements in hospital operations, patient experience, and financial growth. His leadership at Palestine Regional Medical Center and Northern Louisiana Medical Center resulted in significant operational enhancements, revenue growth, and improved patient satisfaction.

Roy is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE) and an Eagle Scout. He was born and raised in Tyler, TX, and then went on to get his undergraduate at Texas A&M University where he majored in Business Information and Operations Management. Roy worked 5 years as a software engineer before going back to get his Masters in Healthcare Administration at Trinity University. Roy is happily married to Audrey who is a nurse, and currently enrolled in NP postgraduate school. They have two sons Carter (8) and Ryan (7). He is actively involved in their extracurricular activities serving as a den leader, basketball and soccer coach.

As Chief Financial Officer at Longview Regional Medical Center, Wes Knight has over 17 years of experience driving operational efficiency and results leading to expanded patient care. He serves as Treasurer for one of Texas’ newest FQHCs and is passionate about leveraging strategies to enhance healthcare outcomes for all. Prior to his current role, he served as CFO for four facilities with UT Health East Texas, leading initial integration of three facilities following their acquisition from ETMC before transitioning to the Athens market which includes the system’s Radiation Oncology service line. While at UTHET, he played a part in the opening of the Family Medicine Residency program in Athens and is currently the champion for establishing a new Internal Medicine Residency for Longview Regional Medical Center that is slated to open July 2027. Wes is known for his collaborative leadership style and his commitment to fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Having spent his entire career between Community Health Systems and Ardent, he states he got to Texas as soon as he could after serving through cold winters in Pennsylvania and oppressive humidity in his native South Carolina. Outside of work you will find him spending time with family engaged in any number of activities and adventures, involved with his church, or in the car driving somewhere.

Vern Rennier is the Chief Executive Officer of Oceans Behavioral Hospital in Longview, Texas, where he leads both inpatient and outpatient behavioral health services with a focus on quality, access, innovation, and community impact.

A U.S. Army veteran and Purple Heart recipient, Vern’s commitment to healthcare was born from his own journey of recovery after being wounded in combat. This experience instilled in him a deep understanding of the patient journey and the critical importance of compassionate, patient-centered care.

In 2024, Vern was honored with the Early Careerist Award from the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) of Louisiana, recognizing his outstanding leadership and meaningful contributions to the healthcare field. He currently serves on the ACHE of Louisiana Board of Directors, representing Region 4, where he works to shape the future of healthcare leadership across the state.

Prior to joining Oceans, Vern held key leadership roles at CHRISTUS Health, where he led initiatives in behavioral health transformation, telehealth expansion, and operational strategy. A graduate of the CHRISTUS Leadership and Ethics Academy, Vern is known for developing high-performing teams, producing measurable outcomes, and advancing long-term wellness initiatives.

Deeply committed to mental health advocacy, Vern uses his platform to drive systemic change, improve access for underserved populations, and lead mission-driven care with integrity and purpose.

George T. Roberts, Jr., has served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Northeast Texas Public Health District (NET Health) since November 2006. Services provided by NET Health include Community Outreach, Disease Surveillance, Environmental Health, Immunization, Tuberculosis Control, Public Health Emergency Preparedness, Regional Laboratory, Vital Statistics, and WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) Program. The Health District primarily serves Tyler and Smith County but also provides some services in 21 counties in East Texas. The WIC Program serves a 20 county area and Public Health Preparedness serves a 7 county region.

Mr. Roberts has over 40 years of health care experience, the majority of which was spent in hospital administration, having previously served at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler, and Henderson Memorial Hospital in Henderson, Texas. He received his Bachelor of Business Administration from SMU inDallasand a Master’s Degree in Health Administration from Washington University School of Medicine inSt. Louis,Missouri. He is a Fellow in the American College of Health Care Executives (ACHE) and served as the East Texas ACHE Chapter President in 2023. He is a member of the Board of the American Board of Preventive Medicine, the Texas Health Institute, Carter BloodCare, the Piney Woods Regional Advisory Council, Mosaic Counseling and the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce. He is Past President of the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) and the Texas Association of City and County Health Officials (TACCHO), and the Past Chairman of the Texas Health Institute. Mr. Roberts is active in a number of church, community, and statewide efforts. Mr. Roberts has been married to his wife Leslie for 37 years, and they have 2 children – Claire (32) and Travis (28).

Host or Publisher East Texas ACHE Forum