Being named vice-president of Hospital Services had Tim Adams feeling as though his career had come full circle. He had joined West Tennessee Healthcare in 1987 as a safety engineer with the safety department. Over his 28-year career with the health system, his responsibilities had ventured from operational/support areas to those more clinical in nature. In his latest role, Adams returns to his operational roots and to the area where it all began.
Although originally from Rome, Ga., Adams considers Jackson, to be his hometown. His family moved there in 1970 when Adams was ten years old. He earned a degree in chemistry from Lambuth College and married a hometown girl who was a nurse practitioner. While he did head to East Tennessee to work for a chemical supply company, when it came time to start a family he and Mary Lou knew that Jackson was where they wanted to raise a family.
Adams joined Jackson Madison County General Hospital as safety engineer in November 1987 with no idea of the opportunities that awaited him. “One of the greatest things about this organization is the opportunity it affords you to broaden your horizons,” said Adams. “In my first ten years, I went from safety engineer to the director of safety, security and grounds as well as telecommunications and patient transport.”
A new challenge was then thrown Adams’ way when he was offered the chance to move from operational to the clinical side of care as director of outpatient services. “I love a challenge and doing different things so I jumped at the chance to move to the clinical side. Two things I think helped open doors for me was earning a Master of Business Administration in the early 1980’s and completing a year-long in-house management development training course at the hospital. In it I learned about the inner workings of the hospital as well as meeting lots of clinical people. It gave me another look at the hospital beside general services, which I think has helped me a great deal and made the transition a bit easier.”
Adams was named executive director of West Tennessee Neurosciences and Spine and West Tennessee Rehabilitation Center in 2009. Another opportunity he says that allowed him to do something totally different. In this role, Adams played a part in the establishment of a Joint Commission accredited Primary Stroke Center, something he is very proud of.
In September 2016, Adams was named vice president of hospital services. In this role, he is a part of the health system’s executive leadership team and oversees the following areas within the organization: Bio Med, Facilities Management, Plant Operations, Construction, Environmental Services, Emergency Medical Services, Food and Nutrition, Laundry, Safety and Security, Grounds, Inpatient Rehab, Acute Care Therapy and West TN Neurosciences and Sleep Disorders. “While it does mean I have pulled back some from clinical into more technical areas, it was just a great opportunity. I have a lot to learn and my focus has expanded to include areas I have not managed before. While my job falls under the hospital, some of my areas provide support for all West Tennessee Healthcare facilities,” he said. “I am grateful to have some of my old areas back since that makes it feel like I am coming home. Reconnecting with people I have known a long time as well as the chance to establish new relationships, made this opportunity very appealing to me.”
It is the importance of relationships that Adams puts at the heart of his management style. “Developing personal relationships is key. When I took over clinical areas, I added developing relationships with physicians to the mix. I think not having a clinical background eliminated any preconceived notions which I think can be an advantage. I asked lots of questions,” said Adams. “It fits with my management style. I don’t micromanage, I rely on the department directors to run their areas. My job is to focus on the big picture and make sure they have what they need to do their jobs.”
From facility improvements system-wide to energy conservation, Adams is excited about what lies ahead. “I want to look across all our facilities and make upgrades as we can to not only meet patients’ needs but to also see that we have the most healing environment possible,” said Adams. “Expanding services, such as our sleep disorder program, into other areas of West Tennessee is something I am passionate about. We also are conducting energy conservation audits across our facilities to see where we can increase efficiency and lower costs.”
Adams enjoyment of new experiences and challenges has spurred a love for travel. While he loves to go out West, Adams has traveled to nearly all 50 states and will mark off the last few this summer when he and his wife head to the Northeast. His adventures have also included Italy, Spain, Mexico and mission trips to Peru. He hopes to add Ireland to the list in the Fall. “Traveling is a great educational experience,” said Adams. “I think it is good to have new challenges. Having those every few years in my career reinvigorates me and gives me direction as to what I need to focus on.”
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