By Kristen Poland
Staff Writer

Teamwork, trust and consistency make up the heart of success. University of South Carolina football coach Steve Spurrier understands this, which he displays by building a foundation for the Gamecocks football program that he hopes will result in the team’s first-ever Southeastern Conference championship.

P.J. Johnson also understands this. As the new CEO of Summerville Medical Center (and devoted Gamecocks fan), Johnson is setting some lofty goals for her own team. She wants to increase the hospital’s reputation and value by improving services and expanding the role the medical center can play within the Summerville community.

In order to do this, she’s spending time building relationships inside and outside the hospital, adding and improving infrastructure and resources and instilling in her staff a sense of pride characteristic of a winning team.

“We consider it a privilege to serve this community and we have to deliver on that commitment with every patient, every day, every time,” Johnson said. “The natural complexion of Summerville is that of a very close knit community. There’s a promise we have to make to (the town’s residents) and keep because we are their neighbors.”

Since assuming her post in August, Johnson has spent time visiting with members of her hospital staff.

“I’m making sure I get out and meet the employees. I want to understand what their day looks like,” Johnson said. “I want them to get to know me, too—they all know I’m a Carolina fan.”

She also makes an effort to understand the challenges employees face in their jobs and to listen to suggestions for improvement they might have. A request of one employee led Johnson to purchase dry-erase boards for each patient room as a way to improve communication among hospital staff.

“We value the role every employee plays,” Johnson said. “Everybody in the organization makes the organization successful. I want everyone who works here to be proud of what they do. It isn’t possible to be happy in your job every single day, but pride is sustainable.”

The span of Johnson’s own eclectic medical background covers several different jobs within several different hospitals. A Georgia native, Johnson, 51, has worked for an academic medical center, The Medical College of Georgia; a community hospital, Roper Hospital; a faith-based hospital Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital and, finally, Trident Health System.

“I’ve had a lot of opportunities to be exposed to a lot of different elements of the health care business,” Johnson said.

She served as chief nursing officer and chief operating officer from 1996-2000 at Summerville Medical Center before moving to Trident Medical Center. At Trident, Johnson served as chief operating officer before making the move back to Summerville in August as CEO.

“When the position came open it was a natural progression to be able to come back (to Summerville) as CEO,” Johnson said.

In addition to reaching out to her employees for ideas for improvement, Johnson is extending an open ear to patients. She has posted a welcome letter on the medical center’s Web site that asks for suggestions for improvement and includes her office phone number. In addition, every patient treated at the hospital receives a similar letter, which implores customers to call Johnson directly if they did not receive adequate care.

“I’ve only had one phone call so far,” Johnson said. “The woman said she just called to see if I’d actually answer the phone.”

As the Summerville area continues to expand, Johnson knows the hospital must grow with it. She’s building relationships with local business leaders to expand the hospital’s presence within the community. Johnson is a member of the Greater Summerville/Dorchester County Chamber of Commerce board and said she plans to join other local organizations as well. In addition, she is exploring opportunities to partner with local organizations, such as the YMCA, on various projects.

“Summerville has one of the fastest-growing populations in the state and the nation. By listening to what the growth plans are, I can align our strategic plan with the community’s growth plan,” Johnson said. “What I hear is a unified desire to grow and to support what our community needs to grow well.”

Plans for improvement and expansion within the 94-bed hospital facility, which will celebrate its 15th anniversary next August, include improvements to the physical plant, equipment upgrades and, eventually, a facelift for and expansion of the building itself.

Johnson said meeting the expectations of every customer—including patients, referring doctors and community members—is her ultimate goal. 

 “We will know we are there—keeping our commitment with every patient, every day, every time—when someone comes through the door and they are our friends, family, neighbor or a VIP and we won’t have to pick up the phone and give someone a heads up. We’ll be confident that they’ll be taken care of just like everyone else who walks through the door.”

SUBSCRIBE | REPRINTS | CONTACT US

Phone: 843-849-3100    Fax: 843-849-3122