DANVILLE — Dr. David Feinberg, the new CEO of Geisinger Health System takes a personal approach to running one of the nation’s largest rural health care systems. In the last month, he has visited every Geisinger hospital and clinic, makes daily rounds visiting patients at the Danville campus even stopping to take a selfie or two.
Feinberg is focused on providing the best patient care for every patient, every time. When he met with Geisinger’s board during the interview process, they asked questions about running the business, but his answers centered on patients, “My answers were all focused on taking care of patients and if I’m chosen we’ll make those decisions based on what’s best for patients. And then I hope, and I believe, that it will take care of itself, the business piece.”
We went on rounds with Dr. Feinberg Tuesday afternoon. He talked with patients about their care, like Carol McJilton of Mifflinburg who thinks it’s important for the CEO to meet with the patients, “If you don’t know what your patients need or expect, how can you expect your employees to know what is needed and expected.”
Moving to Danville from Los Angeles, California has been an easy transition for Dr. Feinberg and his wife, “Andrea and I are kind of simple people. We like the Mexican restaurant. I thought it was really good. I’m just one of the team. I’m just one of the docs here, so that glitz and glamour of LA was a really interesting life experience.”
Feinberg is the sixth chief executive in Geisinger’s 100 year history. (Jennifer Wakeman)