Chief Executive Officer

RHD founder recognized for his "turnaround" style of hospital management

rls Three months before Ray Shoemaker, president and CEO of Rural Healthcare Developers, signed a management contract with Humphreys County Memorial Hospital, the aging facility was $4.5 million in debt and had not turned a profit in the last four years. After six months the hospital was making money, and debt was being paid.

When Shoemaker arrived in January 2007, the small hospital in the heart of the Mississippi Delta lacked the confidence of the community, the exterior and interior of the building suffered from neglect and much of the equipment was outdated.

Knowing the overwhelming obstacles the 34-bed acute care hospital faced, Shoemaker took the helm of HCMH with a new vision for rural healthcare in a small Delta town.

Work began by cleaning and remodeling the building. Renovations took place in the operation of the hospital. Existing services were solidified and new services to enhance the hospitalís place in the community were added. Equally important to the survival of the hospital, the new financial management added significantly to the bottom line of the hospital.

In April 2008, Shoemaker purchased the hospital from the Humphrey County Board of Supervisors and renamed it Patients' Choice Medical Center of Humphreys County.

With the Belzoni hospital working its way back to an even keel, Rural Healthcare Developers rapidly began to be considered to take over other struggling hospitals.

In October 2009, the company entered a long-term management contract with the Claiborne County Hospital in Port Gibson, MS. Upon assuming management, Mr. Shoemaker moved in as acting administrator to upgrade the facility, add programs and increase the confidence of the community in their hospital. The hospital was renamed Patients' Choice Medical Center of Claiborne County.

In November 2008, Rural Healthcare Developers purchased Trinity Hospital in Erin, TN, a small hospital northwest of Nashville, TN. The hospital was renamed Patients' Choice Medical Center of Erin, TN.

The same month RHD assumed management of two hospitals in southwest Louisiana, South Cameron Memorial Hospital and Calcasieu Oaks Behavioral Center.

Mr. Shoemaker's innovative approach to healthcare have earned him the nickname of "Turnaround King" by the Memphis Business Journal. His successes have also been acclaimed on the national level. Modern Healthcare magazine selected Shoemaker as a 2006 recipient of the ìUp and Comersî award, which showcases talented young leaders in healthcare under the age of 40.

Growing up in Walnut Grove, MS, Shoemaker has long recognized the need for quality healthcare in rural areas. The mission of Rural Healthcare Developers is to bring modern healthcare to rural communities.

Shoemaker credits his success, in part, to his military career. Rising to Captain in the United States Army, he learned the value of leadership. He has authoring a book on leadership and has implemented a healthcare leadership program, which he offers to hospitals. The course focuses developing leaders within facilities, hospital employment management and strategic planning.