It’s hard to tell where the medical ends and the spiritual begins for Greg Crain of Baptist Health Medical Center in Little Rock. In fact, the 46-year-old executive doesn’t see much difference between the two.
“In college, I figured out who I was and what I was supposed to be doing with my life,” he said. “I worked for a year as a college intern for a Baptist church. During that time, I was given the task of visiting church members in the hospital and I discovered that I enjoyed the hospital environment and encouraging those who were ill.
“It was then that I understood that living for Christ by serving others was how he made and wired me to thrive, personally. I realized that my drive and passion for excellence, coupled with my gift of encouragement, was an excellent match in the health care environment.”
Crain built upon this epiphany by earning a master’s degree in health services administration to go with his business degree. He joined Baptist Health in Little Rock as an administrative resident in 1995. He ascended quickly and by 1999 had reached the level of vice president.
Today, as senior vice president and administrator responsible for Baptist Health Medical Center-Little Rock and Baptist Health College Little Rock, he is tasked with fulfilling the organization’s mission, vision and upholding its values and beliefs.
“On the simplest level, I tell my kids that my job is to take care of the people who take care of sick people,” he said. “Put another way, I have the magnificent opportunity to encourage and take care of the team at Little Rock, so they can care for others with Christian compassion and personal concern. For me, seeing them do their job in this manner fills my cup and is a deeply rewarding mission.”
Crain said amid the highs and lows inherent to a career in health care is the ever-present challenge of delivering consistent service in a manner that balances compassion with efficiency.
“The most challenging aspect is ensuring consistency and exceeding expectations every time,” he said.
Highlights
Joining Baptist Health in Little Rock as an administrative resident in 1995, Greg Crain ascended quickly and by 1999 had reached the level of vice president. Today, he’s senior vice president and administrator responsible for Baptist Health Medical Center-Little Rock and Baptist Health College Little Rock. A former Arkansas Business 40 Under 40 honoree, he’s also been involved with community and professional organizations including Junior Achievement of Arkansas and Arkansas Health Executives Forum.
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