Ross Korkmas, CEO of Palo Pinto General Hospital (PPGH) in Mineral Wells, has been awarded the Texas Hospital Association (THA) Pioneer Award for achievements in managing a rural hospital or health care system.
The statewide professional organization presents the Pioneer Award to an administrator of a rural hospital or health care system who “demonstrates creative and innovative management achievements and leadership within the organization and the community.”
Korkmas joined PPGH, a 74-bed hospital and health care network, in 2019 and has “proven to be a transformational leader in a short period of time,” the THA said.
In two years under the leadership of Korkmas, the hospital has added multiple new physicians and hospital services, THA said, listing an inpatient tele-pulmonary/critical care program, school-based telehealth program, infectious diseases specialist program, urology, pediatric clinic, and a pain management clinic. Last year, PPGH opened a new primary care clinic.
“To recruit and retain hospital staff, rural hospitals are especially in need of strong servant leaders who are committed to improving the culture of their organization,” John Hawkins, president and CEO of the Texas Hospital Association, said in a statement. “Ross is an efficient and caring leader who embodies the attributes of a pioneer within his profession.”
“This award honors the hard work of our staff, and the trust and loyalty of our community,” Korkmas said. “PPGH is the sole provider of health care across the Palo Pinto County region, and we take our responsibilities seriously.”
THA cited that “Korkmas’ leadership extends beyond the walls of Palo Pinto General Hospital and into the community it serves. He took the reins at Palo Pinto General Hospital amid a particularly turbulent period and made a concerted effort to assuage the uncertainty that lingered by continually engaging with existing staff.”
Korkmas’ colleagues and staff describe him as “the guy who makes the big decisions, signs on the bottom line for major business dealings, but also sweeps the floor in the ER when staff are spread thin and texts team members on the weekends to check on their sick children,” THA said.
Richard Dennis, president of the PPGH Board of Directors, said “this award recognizes the remarkable advances that have occurred in a short time under the leadership of Ross and his many employees. Palo Pinto County is very fortunate to have its health care system under their stewardship.”
Korkmas joined PPGH in August 2019. He was formerly CEO of AllianceHealth Woodward in Woodward, Oklahoma, and chief operating officer at Medical Center of South Arkansas in El Dorado, Arkansas.
Korkmas graduated with a bachelor’s in emergency administration from the University of North Texas in 2004. He also earned a master’s in health care administration from the University of Texas at Arlington in 2010.