Benjamin Ernst

About Benjamin Ernst

Known for extraordinary success in state and national centers of excellence, I drive exceptional healthcare facility operations, care quality, and fiscal performance yielding significant profitability, sustainability, and CEO at Northwest Health Services for 7 years, my oversight spanned 18 clinics in 16 counties, with services in primary care, dental, and behavioral health. Leveraging both ‘tacit and explicit knowledge’ of healthcare strategy, I enhanced patient experience, quality of care, and fiscal controls resulting in $470K cost savings and raised annual revenue to $19M. I also transformed billing systems and compliance, boosted patients/provider, and secured major grants. In order to achieve better company structure, organization, and value, I initiated 400+ new policies in HR, finance, board governance, and information management. Known for placing ‘the right person, at the right place, at the right time’ during my 26-year military career. I held a Commanding Officer position leading a medical command overseas and in the US, I oversaw end-end operations and administration of US military hospitals and clinics. EXPERTISE: Community Care & Healthcare System Management | Strategic Solutions & Execution | Corporate Leadership | Stakeholder Relations | Partnership Management | Grant Funding | Multi-Facility Oversight | Fiscal Management | Administration & Operations | Training Development | Human Resources | Large-scale Staff Oversight STRENGTHS: Success-driven, forward-thinking Leader | Effective Communicator | Shrewd, Straightforward, Personal Integrity, Honor, & Commitment APPLY CURIOSITY: Never afraid to ask ‘Why?’ or ‘Why not?’ in determining financially beneficial and cost effective tactics for achieving goals.MOBILIZE & ORCHESTRATE: I meet groups where they are, and move them to where they need to be. I deliver success at every milestone by addressing issues affecting people doing the work.

Experience

1. Group Practice Manager & Deputy Chief, Primary Care at Winn Army Community Hospital

   Defense Health Agency

   Aug 2016 — Present · Richmond Hill & Fort Stewart, GA, US

   At Winn Army Community Hospital, I contributed significantly to the delivery of high-quality primary care services. My role involved supervising staff across various clinics, managing a Primary Care Group, and ensuring optimal patient access and safety. I focused on fostering a culture of exceptional customer service while overseeing the care of enrollees across a 5-county region in Southeast Georgia.

Education

• U.S. Naval Air Training Command

  Naval Aviator, Aeronautics/Aviation/Aerospace Science and Technology, General

• Baylor University

  MHA, Healthcare Administration

• University of Southern California

  Management Information Systems, General

• Saint Leo University

  Masters, Theology/Theological Studies

• U.S. Naval War College

  War College Command & Staff, Natl Strat & Pol; Natl Strat Decis Making; Jt Maritime Ops Plng

• University of Maryland Global Campus

  Accounting

• University of Notre Dame - Mendoza College of Business

  MBA, Corporate Finance

• University of Missouri-Columbia

  BA, Economics

Skills

• Strategy Development
• Mentoring
• Strategy
• Budgets
• Budgeting
• System Administration
• Process Improvement
• Risk Management
• Team Building
• Leadership Development
• Managed Care
• Leadership
• Integration
• Emr
• Financial Management
• Hospitals
• Financial Analysis
• Organizational Development
• Coaching
• Contract Negotiations
• Healthcare Management
• Business Strategy
• Analysis
• Contract Management
• Compliance
• Managerial Finance
• Change Management
• Military
• Contract Negotiation
• Policy
• Military Leadership
• Logistics
• Strategic Planning
• Government
• Administration
• Problem Solving
• Business Planning
• Operations Management
• Healthcare
• Access