LRMC appoints Springer new CEO

The Lea Regional Medical Center board of trustees has announced Dan E. Springer has accepted the position of chief executive officer.

Springer is expected to start work at Lea Regional on May 20.

Springer comes to Hobbs from SageWest Health Care in Lander and Riverton, Wyo., two campuses with a combined 159-bed capacity. He has served as chief operating officer and administrator of the Riverton campus since August 2017.

Prior to his current role, Springer was the assistant chief executive officer and interim practice administrator for Bay-front Health St. Petersburg, in St. Petersburg, Fla., a 480-bed academic medical center. He has also served as the assistant administrator for the Valley Hospital in Spokane, Wash., a 123-bed acute care hospital.

Lea Regional Medical Center has a 113-bed hospital.

Springer earned a Bachelor of Science degree in exercise science from Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, and a master of healthcare administration from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities School of Public Health in Minneapolis.

In addition to increasing responsibilities in healthcare administration management, Springer has considerable volunteer experience including Rotary Club International, March of Dimes, Goodwill, Special Olympics and mission work for the Church of Latter Day Saints. He is an Eagle Scout, and an avid runner, having completed in several marathons and Spartan events.

“The board and I are happy to announce that Dan has accepted the position as Lea Regional’s CEO, and we eagerly await he and his family’s arrival in Lea County,” said Mark Roddenberry, chairman of the Lea Regional Board of Trustees. “Those of us who interviewed Dan were impressed with his achievements in improving quality while engaging those he worked with — both internally and externally. He’s going to be a dynamic leader for Lea Regional as we continue to grow services and enhance the quality of care.”

Springer said hospitals need to maintain strong ties with their communities.

“I’m excited to come to Lea Regional to work with the team to improve the quality of lives of the people in the community we serve,” Springer said. “A hospital is only as strong as its relationship with the community, so my goal is to strengthen this relationship through enriching every life we encounter.”

Springer replaces former CEO Tim Thornell, who headed LRMC for almost eight years. Thornell assumed the duties of CEO of the Cheyenne Regional Health System, including the 222-bed Cheyenne Regional Medical Center and Cheyenne Regional Medical Group — the largest multi-specialty group in Wyoming, on April 8.

During his tenure at LRMC, Thornell oversaw the introduction of in-patient dialysis, interventional cardiology and updated orthopedic services.