LaDonna Johnston on Leading Unity Health Through Change & Challenge

Johnston’s position was made permanent in July after six months as interim president and CEO. (Jason Burt)

You’ve been with Unity Health for more than 30 years. How has it changed in that time and how has the health care industry changed?

Originally a small community hospital, we have expanded into a regional health care system consisting of four hospitals, numerous outpatient clinics and an accredited Graduate Medical Education program offering emergency medicine, family medicine, internal medicine and psychiatry residency programs. We have added new services, brought in better technology and worked hard to keep care close to home. The past few years have been some of the toughest I have seen in health care. Costs keep going up, staff is harder to find, and the reimbursements we receive from insurance companies and government do not go as far as they once did. It has been a challenge, but we are still standing strong and still doing everything we can to take care of the people who count on us.

What are Unity Health’s biggest challenges? And are those challenges common in your industry?

Workforce and revenue cycle are two challenges that we face, and both are common in the health care industry. We are working hard to address these concerns by investing in technology and process improvements to speed up our revenue cycle and reduce denials. On the workforce side, we are building partnerships with local schools, offering more training and growth opportunities to create a culture where people want to stay and grow their careers with Unity Health.

Unity Health has expanded from Searcy to Newport and Jacksonville. Are you considering any more acquisitions or expansions?

We have definitely grown over the years, and we are proud of that. Right now, Unity Health is focused on adding more specialists, expanding key service lines and continuing to evaluate growth opportunities to better serve our patients.

What drew you toward a career in the health care industry?

I actually wanted to be a vet at first — but my dad told me no and said I would bring home too many animals! I chose health care instead, and I believe it was the right path for me. What really drew me in was the chance to make a difference in people’s lives, no matter who they are or where they come from. I believe we are on this earth to serve, and health care allows me the chance to do that every day.

What do you wish you had known when you started?

Not everyone goes into health care with the same heart for service. That realization was hard, but it made me even more grateful for the people who lead with compassion and are here to make a difference.

Who is an executive you admire and what lessons have you learned from that person?

Wayne Hartsfield, who was president of our board of directors when I first stepped into leadership. He set clear expectations from the beginning. He taught me that if you work hard and stay committed the rewards will come in time. In society today, it often feels like people want the reward first.