Justin Doss is the Chief Executive Officer of Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas, where he leads a 483 bed acute care hospital and behavioral health facility with over 1,700 associates. Justin holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Texas San Antonio and earned his Bachelor of Science from Texas A&M University in College Station. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated leadership in physician engagement, service line growth, and financial stewardship. He is an active community leader and volunteer, serving on Economic Development Councils, Chambers of Commerce, and Educational Boards. He and his wife Amy have three children.

Justin began his presentation by thanking Rotary for their presence in the community and reminiscing about visiting his dad’s Rotary Club as a child. Justin proudly shared recent accomplishments of Baptist Hospitals of SE TX such as: having no HAI’s (hospital acquired infections) for the past 90 days, increase in physicians desiring to come to southeast Texas, an increase in patient satisfaction, financial growth is up. They have goals of continuing to reduce time in the ER which is currently about 5 hours to only 3 hours, doubling the size of their nursing program, and continuing financial growth. Justin also gave recognition to the associates and others in the community for the success that Baptist Hospitals is experiencing. Examples include using Employee of the Month recognition of associates who exemplify the values of caring in their duties, how associate Mark Douglas had clarity of insight to working with Lamar Pt. Arthur’s associate nursing program to have all their training onsite of the hospital instead of going back & forth between Pt. Arthur and Beaumont, credit also was given to Dade & Kim Phelan in the opportunities they have helped achieve with funding for increasing the mental health care and facilities here locally. As an example, the funding will renovate to an up to date and safer environment for treating patients, and increasing the capacity by adding 70 beds (he illustrated the need by saying today they currently have 12 patients waiting in the ER for in-patient room).

During the business meeting under the leadership of President Michael Perez, the head table consisted of Joanne Brown for Invocation, pledges by Rakesh Korpal, introduction of guests by Kathryn Fuller, and introduction of speaker by Stephanie Harris. Announcements made that unfortunately the Astros lost on Monday evenings “watch night”, student applications for RYLA are being accepted and the Pollinator Garden at the Nature Center is off to a good start. Van Greer, secretary, gave a report from the 9/24 Board meeting: 1 member classification change for Kwanita Adair to Hospice-Volunteer Services; as well as 6 new member proposals: Seth Crone, James Guzman, Shawn Webb Locke, Mary Pat Jones, Fabiana Baum, and Joby John. Kym Johns gave reminders on Rotary after Hours at Bruno’s on 9/27 and Wine Down for Rotary scheduled 10/25. Michael confirmed with Pat Anderson that the next Flag Project day is 10/14.

Much appreciation to our Rotary members who serve in various jobs to see that the meeting is efficient: greeting at the Registration table were John Rollins and Shawn Javed; covering the Wine Down table were Cheryl Bilyeu and Dianne Thompson; selling of meal tickets were Tish Cornell & Jacques Gagne; smiling faces at the ticket basket at entry of serving line included Dr. Han and Jeannette Fresne; serving as photographer was Jennifer Gregory; and John Lee worked IT assisting MiKayla.