LHC services will be taken to shuts in and senior citizens – CEO

Despite only being appointed as the Linden Hospital Complex CEO a mere few days ago, Rudy
Small has hit the ground running. The new CEO speaking to  www.aroundtheregions.com
revealed a number of plans that he has for the hospital. He said that the public and staff of the
hospital will see some major changes as he intends to make the hospital in at least two to three
years, the best regional hospital.
Small who previously worked in Guyana as Director of Facilities at the GPHC said that one of
his primary goals is to ensure that the hospital services are taken to shut-ins and senior citizens.
“I intend to immediately begin sensitizing the Linden community about the services that we offer
because even though the hospital is here and many persons may be aware that there is a hospital,
not many persons are cognizant of the services being provided. As such, we intend to provide
services to the shut ins and senior citizens as we will take the hospital to them,” he said.
The newly appointed CEO declared that if the hospital is going to be effective then addressing
the needs of residents and the community must be of paramount importance. He revealed that
with several informal interactions with residents they have stated that they do not have
confidence in the hospital. This, he said must be urgently addressed. “I also plan to do a lot of
outreach and screening so that persons can be educated and also garner the services in a more
meaningful way, as they can access services. What I plan to do is to have a doctor, a nurse,
pharmacist, therapist to visit the shut-ins and also to our senior citizens who find it difficult to get
to the hospital. We will also visit them,” he said.
The CEO said that his primary objective is to enhance healthcare through creative and proactive
ways. He spoke about the importance of reducing persons from deteriorating to the stage where
they have to be on dialysis. This, he warned, is very expensive and ultimately many saves when
persons are prevented from reaching this stage.  He reiterated that as the CEO he intends to stress
the importance of this being a pivotal part of their agenda.
“I think for the long term it’s a great investment and the returns will be wonderful. If I can
prevent a senior citizen who is diabetic from deteriorating to the point where they need to go on
dialysis that’s a major win for the community, the hospital and ultimately the country. We know
dialysis is very expensive so if we can prevent them from getting to that stage that is a winner. If
we can prevent a patient from getting a stroke that is important as the impact it has on that
patient and their family, the cost involved in providing certain services is enormous so as the
CEO, I want to make this kind of investment in the Linden community,” he committed.
CEO Small stressed that the statements being made by him are not dreams or idle words but
rather commitments that he is making as he has already reviewed the staff and remains confident
that the hospital can and will provide these services. “I have already had discussions with the PS
and Minster and there are on board with these initiatives so whatever resources we need to get
this done I am assuring the residents that it will be done,” he assured.

Small, who is US trained, returned from the USA where he had previously worked at New York
City and Health Hospital Corporation as Director of Facilities. The LHC CEO also worked in
senior capacities at Harlem and Dr Susanne Smith Rehab Hospitals. Small had secured his
undergraduate and graduate studies qualifications in the USA.