By Rachel Brandes
Moapa Valley Progress
June 30, 2010
Mesa View Regional Hospital hosted the monthly Mesquite Chamber of Commerce Mixer on Thursday, June 24 in order to introduce the hospital’s new Chief Executive Officer, Kirkpatrick “Kapua” Conley. Attendees had the opportunity to meet and speak with Conley. With his natural charisma and charm, Conley was a hit with the crowd.
Conley took over the MVRH CEO position on June 1 replacing Sue Conley, the hospital’s only CEO since opening its doors on July 13, 2004. The two are not related.
Conley (Kapua) came to Mesquite from Oro Valley Hospital in Oro Valley, Arizona, a 144-bed facility where he served as the assistant Chief Executive Officer for the past two years.
Conley’s past experience was not in the Healthcare management industry but the Information Technology industry. It was in 2002 that Conley decided to pursue a career in hospital management at the School of Public Health at his alma mater, Tulane University.
Earning a Master’s degree in Health Administration, Conley took his first position as an administrator at the Genitourinary Cancer Center at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. He next took the assistant CEO position at Oro Valley.
His journey to Mesquite was not a tough decision to make. “When the opportunity presented itself, I made the trip to interview and knew that Mesa View would be a perfect fit for me,” he said. “Meeting the Board members, staff, physicians and seeing the beautiful city of Mesquite during my interview process made accepting this position easy.”
During his first month at MVRH, Conley has been busy getting acquainted with his staff, physicians, community leaders and members, and all the while running the 25-bed Critical Access Hospital.
“The leadership and staff here at Mesa View are outstanding,” Conley said. “I joined a great team and I look forward to growing and learning with them and continuing to make Mesa View the best it can be.”
At Thursday’s mixer, Conley spent the evening visiting with the crowd that filled the hospital lobby. He thanked those in attendance for being there. “The City of Mesquite has welcomed me with open arms and I thank you, I am excited to be a part of this great community,” he said.
Although his speech was short and to the point, at which he was heckled, Conley concluded with a chuckle, “Hey, my speeches can only go up from here.”
Conley was impressed with the turnout at the mixer. “It was great to meet and talk with so many community members during the mixer,” he said. “I look forward to getting out in the community even more now that I am settling in.”
Conley commended his kitchen staff for the “great feast” provided at the event, “Cindy (Cindy Shewell, Nutrition Director), and her staff outdid themselves,” he said. “This is just great!”
