Eric A. Barber
Hastings
Summary
Dynamic healthcare executive with a proven track record at Mary Lanning Healthcare, driving operational excellence and strategic planning. Expert in performance improvement and relationship building, achieving nine Gallup Exceptional Workplace Awards and doubling annual net revenue to $220M. Committed to enhancing patient safety and fostering employee engagement across diverse medical teams.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
President and CEO
Mary Lanning Healthcare
Hastings
08.2013 - 09.2025
- Achieved Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award nine times for excellence in employee engagement.
- Implemented comprehensive Patient Safety Program to enhance care quality.
- Established Physician Leadership Group to drive clinical initiatives and improve outcomes.
- Recruited 55 new physicians since 2014, strengthening the medical team.
- Doubled annual net revenue since assuming CEO role, reaching projected $220M for CY 2024.
- Presented nationally at Studer’s 'What’s Right in Healthcare' Conference in 2016.
- Oversaw opening of new 64-bed hospital in collaboration with 85 physicians and Bryan Health.
- Expanded Oncology Program into Grand Island, enhancing regional patient access.
Chief Executive Officer
Northeast Regional Medical Center
Kirksville
05.2010 - 08.2013
- Oversaw 37 residents across 9 specialties, enhancing training and patient care.
- Achieved Division 5 Patient Safety Award for 2012, demonstrating commitment to safety standards.
- Secured Grade 'A' from The Leapfrog Group for 2012, reflecting excellence in patient safety measures.
- Recognized as one of America’s 50 Best Hospitals by Becker’s Review in 2011, highlighting outstanding healthcare quality.
- Successfully recruited 19 new physicians within 24 months, improving service capacity.
- Implemented a comprehensive sports medicine program, expanding service offerings.
- Increased satisfaction scores among physicians, employees, and patients through targeted initiatives.
- Generated annual net revenue of $80 million with EBITDA of $18 million.
Chief Operating Officer
Danville Regional Medical Center
Danville
06.2008 - 05.2010
- Executed operational turnaround for 350-bed medical center, enhancing overall efficiency.
- Oversaw cardiovascular service line in collaboration with Duke University Heart Center.
- Achieved continuous improvement in heart failure and acute myocardial infarction core measure scores.
- Implemented Duke protocols for primary PCI, chest pain management, heart failure, and AMI.
- Chaired multidisciplinary team including cardiology, emergency department, and hospitalists.
- Managed off-site radiation oncology center and diagnostic imaging center operations.
- Oversaw hospitalist program with 12 physicians to optimize patient care.
- Directed operations across 11 departments with approximately 335 FTEs, generating $150M in net revenue.
Chief Operating Officer
Mountain Vista Medical Center
Mesa
06.2007 - 02.2008
- Integral part of the Administrative Team tasked with opening a new 178 Bed State-of-the-art Medical Center in a rapidly growing urban market (Phoenix, AZ)
- Drove operations to profitability in just 4 months after opening
Chief Operating Officer
HMA – Peace River Regional Med Ctr.
Port Charlotte
05.2005 - 06.2007
- Recognized as Center for Clinical Excellence by Healthgrades 3 years in a row
- Turn Around Project
- Hospital EBIDTA went from -($10M) to $15M in 24 months
- Directly responsible for (8) Departments – Total of 220 FTE’s
- Radiology
- Laboratory
- Plant Operations
- Pharmacy
- Cardiopulmonary
- Housekeeping
- (2) Outpatient Imaging and Rehab Clinics
- Major Projects
- Outpatient Imaging Renovation
- Addition of a 64-Slice CT Scanner
- Transition to Digital Mammography
- Creation of 20-Bed Orthopedic Center of Excellence (opened 3/06)
- Women’s Center Renovation (Imaging and OB/GYN Services)
- 14 LDR’s and 21-Bed PP Unit
- Addition of 7-Bed NICU
- Approximately $84 Million in Net Revenue Annually
- Assisted with the Recruitment of (3) General/Bariatric Surgeons
- Assisted with the start-up of a Bariatric Program
Chief Operating Officer
HMA - Riley Memorial Hospital
Meridian
08.2003 - 05.2005
- Directly Responsible for (12) Departments – Total of 200 FTE’s
- Radiology
- Cardiopulmonary
- Laboratory
- CRNA’s
- Pharmacy
- Outpatient Therapy
- Plant Operations
- Risk Management
- Food & Nutrition
- Environmental Services
- Inpatient Rehabilitation
- Wound Care Center
- Responsible for all Physician Recruiting (9 new placements)
- Reported Directly to the CEO
- Actively Involved with Strategic Planning and Medical Staff Relations
- Engineered Start-up of a Successful Pain Management Program
- $49 million in Net Revenue FY 04
Assistant Administrator
HMA-Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center
Hartsville
07.2001 - 08.2003
- Directly Responsible for (5) Departments – Total of 80 FTE’s
- Laboratory
- Outpatient Therapy
- Cardiopulmonary
- Food & Nutrition
- Environmental Services
- Spearheaded the formation of a Hospitalist Program
- Assisted with Construction Projects
- Cardiac Cath Lab - $1.1 million
- Two Additional OR Suites - $4.3 million
- Completed CON Applications for:
- 40 Acute Bed Expansion - $13.5 million
- ER Expansion - $2.6 million
- Assisted with the Recruitment of Nine (9) New Physicians
- Reported Directly to the CEO
- $82 million in Annual Net Revenue
Education
Masters of Healthcare Administration -
University of Kansas
Kansas City, KS05.2001
Bachelors of Life Sciences -
Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS05.1998
Skills
- Relationship building
- Performance improvement
- Change management
- Strategic planning
- Financial management
- Operational excellence
- Patient safety protocols
- Revenue cycle management
- Employee engagement
- Team development
- Stakeholder engagement
- Business development
- Coaching and mentoring
Publications
- 8 Ways Top Hospital Leaders Encourage Employee Development, Becker’s Hospital Review, Rachel Fields, 03/31/11
- Looking the Part, Healthcare Executive Exchange Magazine, Patricia Chaney, 02/01/12
Community Service
- Board Member for Hastings Surgical Center
- Board Trustee for Grand Island Regional Medical Center
- Board Member for Lochland CC
- Board Member for Hastings Economic Development Corporation
- Board Member – Missouri Hospital Association – Management Services Corporation
- Rotary International
- Kirkville Leadership Institute
- Board Member - Kirksville Regional Economic Development Institute
- Board Member - Missouri Rural Enterprise and Innovation Center
- Virginia HITAC Task Force – Chaired by Marilyn Tavenner
- Kiwanis – 2001 – Present
- United Way – Board Member (Charlotte County, FL)
- Relay for Life – 2002 – Present
- East Mississippi Business Development Corporation
- Hartsville, SC Chamber of Commerce – Chairman of Golf Tournament Planning Committee
- Darlington, SC Chamber of Commerce – Ambassador Program
- Board Member for Meals on Wheels Program – 2001-2003
Continuing Education
- The Governance Institute – Annual Board Retreat with 7 Trustees, 2014-2019
- ACHE Board of Governors Review, Phoenix, AZ, 10/01/10
- Taking You and Your Organization to The Next Level, StuderGroup, Chicago, IL, 08/01/10
- ACHE Congress, Chicago, IL, 2000 - 2006 (annually)
- Attended COO Roundtable, 2004
- Karrass Negotiating Seminar, Orlando, FL, 03/01/04
Presentations
- Achieving Excellence – 7 Key Ingredients, National Healthcare CXO Summit, Los Angeles, CA, 10/01/13
- Top 10 Issues and Opportunities Facing Hospitals, CEO Roundtable Discussion – Becker’s Hospital Review, Chicago, IL, 11/01/14
- Driving World Class Engagement, Studer - What’s Right in Healthcare Conference, Chicago, IL, 08/01/16
Timeline
President and CEO
Mary Lanning Healthcare
08.2013 - 09.2025
Chief Executive Officer
Northeast Regional Medical Center
05.2010 - 08.2013
Chief Operating Officer
Danville Regional Medical Center
06.2008 - 05.2010
Chief Operating Officer
Mountain Vista Medical Center
06.2007 - 02.2008
Chief Operating Officer
HMA – Peace River Regional Med Ctr.
05.2005 - 06.2007
Chief Operating Officer
HMA - Riley Memorial Hospital
08.2003 - 05.2005
Assistant Administrator
HMA-Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center
07.2001 - 08.2003
Masters of Healthcare Administration -
University of Kansas
Bachelors of Life Sciences -
Kansas State University