HJBR May/Jun 2024

HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF BATON ROUGE I  MAY / JUN 2024 11 ONE on ONE Rene Ragas has been the president and CEO of Woman’s Hospital since 2022, bringing over two decades of healthcare executive experience in the Baton Rouge area and surrounding regions. He previously served as Northshore market president for Franciscan Missionaries of our Lady Health System beginning in 2014. Ragas holds a master’s degree in healthcare administration from Tulane University and an undergraduate degree in biology fromSoutheastern Louisiana University. He is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and received the Grassroots Champion Award in 2023 from the American Hospital Association and the Louisiana Hospital Association for his healthcare policy work. Ragas serves on various boards, including the Louisiana Hospital Association, Baton Rouge Health District, Vizient Gulf States, Baton Rouge Area Chamber, and the CareSouth Cares Foundation. All three of his children were born at Woman’s Hospital. Rene Ragas, FACHE President and CEO, Woman’s Hospital Dianne Hartley, Editor To some, you were a surprising choice to become CEO of Woman's Hospital, certainly not because of your credentials, but because, well, you're not a woman. Will you please share with us your journey to becoming the CEO of Woman's Hospital? Rene Ragas, FACHE After spending almost 25 years in leadership here in Louisiana, it culminated in a lot of things aligning professionally for me to come toWoman's, and leading Woman's is such a special privilege. It's a great place to work, regardless of what part you play in the team. Whether it's my role or any role, it really is a special place, and it's even more special because of my personal connection. My wife was born at Woman's Hospital as well as my three sons, so there is a special connection that I have always had with Woman's Hospital. It's been a great journey to get here, having spent my entire career in Louisiana working in healthcare. To be able to join a dynamic team in a very special place is something that's really been a joy. Editor When Woman's Hospital started, it seemed revolutionary to have a hospital dedicated to just women's health issues. Talk to us about that foresight. Ragas What makes Woman’s Hospital special is the foresight of the physician founders to really provide a specialized setting for care of women and infants and to be the best at it, to focus on the experience and the clinical outcomes for women and infants, and to continually improve and provide a premier experience. Editor I'm surprised more hospitals across the country have not taken on your mission. Why do you think that is? Ragas Well, while there actually are a fair amount of women-focused service lines in larger health systems across the country.