The Siskiyou Community Health Center (SCHC) began in 1973 as the Takilma People’s Clinic in the Illinois Valley of Southern Oregon. Established by volunteers in response to a local healthcare crisis, the clinic initially operated from a repurposed farmhouse. Dr. Jim Shames, originally from the Portland area, joined to train community members and chose to remain, becoming Medical Director, a role he held until 2003. 

Today, SCHC’s is a not-for-profit, Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) with a main location in a 34K square foot LEED-certified building in Historic Grants Pass Oregon known for its active outdoor lifestyle along the Rogue River, just 30 miles south of the Medford Oregon International Airport. 

Additional locations include facilities in Cave Junction, Medford, multiple school-based health clinics, and a mobile dental unit. SCHC offers a comprehensive range of services, including primary medical care for all ages, behavioral health, dental, radiology, laboratory services, and pharmacy. 

Following its mission to build healthy communities, SCHC remains dedicated to providing accessible, high quality healthcare for all, with a focus on preventive care and a patient-centered approach.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) 

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) reporting to the Board of Directors will lead SCHC through a pivotal phase of strategic and organizational growth, building on a 50-year legacy of community impact.

In collaboration with the Board of Directors and  Leadership Team, the CEO will chart a visionary path that aligns with SCHC’s mission and values. They will spearhead the development and execution of a long-term strategic plan to ensure sustainable growth while enhancing the organization’s financial, operational, policy, and partnership resilience. 

The CEO will champion operational excellence, ensure regulatory compliance, and foster strong community trust and engagement. Additionally, they will cultivate a diverse, mission-driven culture that supports SCHC’s dedicated team, creating an environment that promotes collaboration, innovation, and shared purpose. 

Strategic Vision, Planning, & Leadership: 

• Collaborate with the Board and Leadership team to establish a forward-looking vision, define strategic  priorities, and allocate resources to achieve long-term goals. 
• Develop integrated, organization-wide plans that align departmental objectives with the overall mission and ensure operational excellence in integrated patient care delivery. 
• Lead transformational change management initiatives to optimize policies, processes, systems, and an entire organization of engaged employees to drive continuous performance improvement and organizational  agility. 
• Deliver timely, data-driven business reviews providing strategic insights into performance against  organizational goals and initiatives.  
• Build awareness of external political, economic, social and technological factors, such as healthcare  reform, government funding, medical innovation, and compliance that could impact patients, local communities, and employees.  
• Ensure the leadership team is knowledgeable, current and proactive in maintaining adherence to all  contractual, regulatory, and healthcare industry standards.
• Build impeccable risk management and crisis management procedures to mitigate risk to the clinic, employees, Board, patients, and community. 

Leadership Development, Talent Strategy, & Organizational Culture: 

• Champion the organization’s core values by fostering a culture of excellence, transparency, and innovation, mentoring leaders to model these values at every level. 
• Support diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, & belonging (DEIAB) initiatives by harnessing the power of people with different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.  
• Build the capability to attract, develop, and retain top-tier talent across all departments cultivating leadership capabilities and ensuring a robust succession pipeline. 
• Ensure strategic clarity and alignment by communicating purpose, vision, and priorities, enabling employees to execute initiatives effectively and contribute meaningfully to organizational success. 
• Promote a “one team” culture, guiding conflict resolution and team-building efforts to enhance collaboration and shared accountability. 
• Leverage continuous feedback and performance metrics to ensure individuals and teams remain  aligned with the mission, objectives, goals, and operational targets. 
• Support equitable reward and recognition programs to reinforce the organization’s core values and provide meaningful employee experiences. 

Community & Strategic Partnership: 

• Champion SCHC’s mission by building and sustaining strong partnerships in delivering care to the community with key external  stakeholders such as community leaders, school districts, early learning centers, CCO’s, FQHC’s, and public health organizations.
• Expand patient reach and referral networks through strategic outreach and relationship management, fostering long-term engagement with the community. 
• Collaborate with partners to integrate shared resources, align on mutual objectives, and develop joint solutions, managing risk while facilitating strategic cooperation. 

Operational Excellence & Governance: 

• Implement a rigorous operations management framework to optimize workflows, streamline  processes, and enhance service delivery, ensuring long-term sustainability. 
• Create a dashboard of performance metrics in collaboration with the Board and Leadership Team to monitor operational performance and guide strategic decision-making. 
• Partner with the CQO to ensure compliance with healthcare quality metrics consistent with FQHC  requirements. 
• Prioritize initiatives and allocate resources efficiently to align operational outcomes with strategic goals and ensure sustained high standards in patient care.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement by adopting innovative solutions, maintaining high-quality  standards, and ensuring compliance with safety and regulatory requirements. 
• Leverage advanced technology to support operational goals, driving efficiencies, and enhancing service delivery. 

Financial Stewardship & Performance: 

• Provide strategic financial leadership by establishing sound budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis practices to ensure fiscal health and long-term viability. 
• Oversee grant writing and fundraising initiatives, identifying new funding streams and strengthening existing financial partnerships including exploring and enhancing contracts and the strength of those negotiations as part of the overall financial stewardship of the organization.
• Develop sustainable financial strategies that mitigate risks, optimize cost structures, and maximize the return on investment (ROI) across all operations. 
• Ensure prudent capital management, aligning investments with strategic priorities to support growth,  innovation, and operational excellence while minimizing waste. 

Requirements

• 8–10 years of progressive leadership experience including C-suite roles within healthcare, social services, nonprofit, or public health sectors, demonstrating a commitment to advancing community health and addressing social determinants of health. 
• Bachelor’s and/or Master’s degrees in relevant fields such as Business Administration (MBA), Healthcare Administration (MHA), Medical Management (MMM), or Public Health (MPH), or equivalent education and experience preferred. 
• Proven ability to scale multi-site organizations, leading growth initiatives aligned with the organization’s mission and strategic priorities. 
• Successful track record in managing healthcare operations with budgets of $30M+, showcasing expertise in executive leadership, financial oversight, and operational excellence. 
• Demonstrated ability to optimize performance through continuous improvement initiatives and build frameworks that translate strategy into operational success. 
• Experienced leader in transformational change management, adept at navigating complex transitions while maintaining organizational focus and momentum. 
• Strong experience collaborating with Boards of Directors, policymakers, and funders, with proven skill in cultivating strategic relationships and partnerships. 
• In-depth understanding of healthcare quality metrics and their impact on funding, reimbursements, and performance outcomes. 
• Comprehensive knowledge of Community Health Center (CHC) operations and Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) programs.