Rhonda Green

Chabert Medical Center CEO Rhonda Green has always had an affinity for helping those in need.

“That’s always what I’ve had a passion for,” Green said. “It’s something I still miss doing hands-on to this day.”

Green got her early stripes in the medical field at Charity Hospital in New Orleans where she spent time in both nursing and nurse administration.

It was from those same early days in the profession where she decided to pursue her administrative position at Chabert, so she could “do more,” for those who needed medical assistance.

“In this position, I know that I can make decisions that will impact patient care for the better,” Green said. “I can do things that make care for our patients at this level, while also making sure that I’m fiscally responsible at the same time so that we don’t have to close services.”

Green has been the CEO at Chabert for almost four years after joining the hospital in March 2004 as the nursing director.

Through that time, there have been countless changes in medicine through advanced technology, government changes to health care and also statewide cuts to the industry.

She said she takes pride in herself and her administration for facing all of the challenges head-on, thus allowing Chabert to continue to run smoothly at a high level of service.

“Our administrative team saw those budget cuts looming, so we started doing some things to cut back on the periphery,” Green said. “We did things that really didn’t impact patient care or the staff.”

But the CEO also admits her job becomes increasingly stressful when the infamous three-letter “c” word is used for the hospital’s future.

“Right now, we’re running about as lean as we can,” Green said. “In the future, based on what the governor’s budgets say, we could see some deeper cuts. That would make my job very, very hard at that point.”

Either way, a common 9-to-5 shift at Chabert for Green is no walk in the park, as every major decision about the hospital runs through her desk in some form or fashion.

She said she combines all of her previous experiences as a nurse, as well as her education in business to juggle what’s best for the patient, while also keeping in mind what’s best for the hospital.

“Probably the most important skill for someone in my position is critical thinking skills, being able to make a decision under pressure,” she said. “We also deal with the human factor, too, because while this is a business, we do, ultimately, deal with sick people. So it could be challenging.”

But it’s a challenge she’s been prepared for her whole life n trying to care for the sick in society.

Title: CEO of Chabert Medical Center

Age: 51

Family: Single with no children.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in nursing from LSU, master’s degree in business, master’s degree in health care management from University of Phoenix .

If you could add one hour to each day: I’d probably take better care of myself.

First job: In the emergency department at Charity Hospital.

Describe yourself in one word: Sincere.

What did you want to be growing up? I knew I wanted to be in business, but I never fully decided. Then I knew once I got in nursing, I wanted to do more in nursing and more for the hospitals.

Best advice received: “Always do the right thing for the right reasons,” from my mother

Best advice you’d give to a woman in business: I would tell them that you have to work hard, keep at it, be true to yourself, stick to your values and you’ll succeed!

If you weren’t doing what you’re doing now, what would you be doing? I would probably be still working as a staff nurse in the emergency department. I love taking care of patients.