An Interview with Jeff Sollis, CEO

St. John's Health CEO, Jeff Sollis

LEADING WITH VISION

In today’s rapidly evolving healthcare landscape, strong leadership is essential to meeting the needs of our community. We sat down with Jeff Sollis, CEO of St. John’s Health, to discuss the 2024 Strategic Plan, the newly developed Facilities Master Plan, and the crucial role of community philanthropy in driving forward the future of healthcare in Western Wyoming.

Tell us about the past year leading St. John’s Health.

It’s been a really productive year! After gathering extensive feedback from stakeholders and staff, we had the chance to share the 2024 Strategic Plan with the community. This plan focuses on improving access to services by expanding provider teams, increasing urgent care hours, and establishing a patient navigation program. We’re also supporting our workforce with employee housing, clinical education, and leadership development, while enhancing patient services in cancer care, trauma, gastroenterology, and mental health. This plan will guide us over the next three to five years as our North Star. lends a

Jeff lends a hand in the kitchen, serving up lunch and smiles at the St. John’s Health café.

What has been the most fulfilling part of working on these projects?

The most fulfilling part has been working closely with our team, knowing that culture isn’t something I can delegate. I’ve prioritized hearing directly from staff— through surveys, meetings, and regular ‘Coffee and Conversation’ forums—to ensure we gather the insights needed for success. Good people are at the heart of any health system, and I’m surrounded by smart, compassionate, and committed individuals. It’s truly rewarding to collaborate with them in shaping the future of St. John’s Health.

In recent Board of Trustees meetings, you talk about a Facilities Master Plan? What does that involve?

A facilities master plan is a comprehensive blueprint designed to assess our current and future service needs, including projections for growth across all service lines. This plan establishes a long-term vision for the physical infrastructure of St. John’s Health, serving as a strategic guide for developing, renovating, and optimizing our facilities. By aligning our physical environment with our broader organizational goals, the plan ensures that our facilities evolve to meet the community’s healthcare demands both now and in the future.

Jeff chats with Bruce Abel, START Bus Transit Operations Director, at the August 2023 Green Transit Popup, where St. John’s Health showcased its new electric vehicle chargers and shared ways to support a greener future.

What makes you feel optimistic about health care in Wyoming? What keeps you up at night?

I’ll start with what keeps me up at night. I see the consolidation of health systems and shuttering of small rural hospitals across the country and, in my opinion, the ones who suffer most are the patients. Access to care is being impacted in negative ways by the large health systems that have corporate priorities that supersede the priorities of the communities they serve. That is not the type of health care world I want to live in. But here’s the good news.

St. John’s Health remains a strong, independent health system that provides the services and care that the community needs. Much of our growth and success is thanks to donor philanthropy, and I feel incredibly grateful to be a part of a community that understands the importance of St. John’s Health and the role we play in the overall vitality of our town and region.

What will 2025 look like at St. John’s Health?

This year, and over the next four years, we’ll see the Facilities Master Plan that I mentioned come to life. We will continue to work hard on improving access and enhancing the overall patient experience. There will be a continued focus on supporting our workforce by enhancing our clinical education and developing our leadership team throughout the health system. Cardiopulmonary services will be relocated and centralized, Oncology’s footprint will expand and add radiation oncology services, the Hitching Post apartments will break ground, and Outpatient Surgical Services will expand and renovate. Our team will continue to update the community as new components of the activation are finalized, and the best way to receive the most up-to-date information is by tuning into monthly SJH Board of Trustees meetings.

Jeff and team celebrate Employee of the Month Glen Weise, Clinical Educator at St. John’s Health.

What message do you have for our donors this year?

Just a heartfelt thank you. Our ambitious strategy, planning, and development is possible because of your philanthropic support. This community really shows up for St. John’s Health, and I can’t wait to show you all what you’ve unlocked through generosity.