LAMC CEO Tracie Stratton speaks at the July 18 Rotary Club meeting. Photo by Linda Hull
BY LINDA HULL
Vice President
Rotary Club of Los Alamos
Tracie Stratton, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Los Alamos Medical Center (LAMC), spoke at the July 18 meeting of the Rotary Club of Los Alamos held on the grounds of Los Alamos Public Schools.
During her presentation, Stratton addressed the challenges of the pandemic and the “tough years in healthcare” it presented. Nationwide, there was a “mass exodus” from all categories of clinical staff compounded by those who left their home facilities to travel as contract labor staff to fill higher-paying positions vacated by others.
Even though contract labor pay is “normalizing,” and more staff are coming back to their “home” facilities, Stratton noted, there is still “an urgency and concern about how facilities will staff open positions going forward. The simple math concept of supply and demand. Demand continues to be high with fewer entering into the medical profession. It’s a tough dilemma that will not be solved easily.”
Stratton continued by citing that LAMC has recently undergone $242,000 of capital improvements and pays approximately $3,200,000 in local taxes. Hospital administrators are dedicated to keeping an OB-GYN program open. They are actively seeking an orthopedist and several other specialty providers.
There are 232 employees at LAMC at this time, which accounts for $23,000,000 in payroll expenses.
During her career Stratton says she has been blessed to serve in many different capacities, all focused on improving clinical care at each patient’s bedside. It is her nursing experience that she credits for bringing a personal touch to her administrative duties and is especially committed to offering “high quality care close to home.”
Tracie Stratton earned her Associate’s degree in nursing in 1998 from Casper College in Casper, Wyoming. In 2009 she earned her Master’s degree in Nursing Administration from the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota. Before she could even begin her coursework, she became the first Chief Nursing Officer at Mountain View Regional Hospital in Casper. She successfully managed the hospital and attended college at the same time, completing her Master’s degree in 2011.
Just a year later, in 2012, Stratton and her family moved to Los Alamos where she managed clinical operations for three years at LAMC. During this time, she received LifePoint Health’s Chief Nursing Officer of the Year award.
In 2015, Stratton became Vice-President of Clinical Operations for LifePoint Health’s Western Division. In that position, she supported 16 hospitals, advancing quality and patient safety.
After six years, Stratton decided to enter back into local hospital operations, and in December 2021, she had the privilege of returning to LAMC operations as CEO. LAMC recently achieved a major milestone in its Quality and Patient Safety journey by earning the esteemed distinction of National Quality Program Affiliate. Los Alamos is the 18th hospital out of 63 LifePoint facilities to receive this honor.
Stratton has been married for 30 years to husband Jason, and they have two children. Their son, a graduate of Los Alamos High School, is now living in Nashville, and their daughter has just graduated from the University of Tennessee with a doctorate in Physical Therapy.
Stratton enjoys golf, spending time in the mountains, jeeping, hiking, and chasing waterfalls.
The Rotary Club of Los Alamos, through its 1312 Club Foundation, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and one of over 34,000 clubs worldwide. Rotary, which now has 1.5 million members, was founded in 1905; the local Club was chartered in 1966. Rotary areas of focus include promoting peace; fighting disease, particularly polio; providing clean water, sanitation, and hygiene; supporting education; saving and enhancing the lives of mothers and children; growing economies; and protecting the environment.
The Rotary Club of Los Alamos meets in person Tuesdays, 12:00-1:00, in the Community Room, Cottonwood on the Greens, at the golf course. A Zoom option is available by contacting Linda Hull, 505-662-7950. Hull is also happy to provide information about the Club and its humanitarian service. The community is invited to attend meetings and consider becoming a members.