New Gundersen Moundview CEO values 'positive culture,' 'trust'

In his more than 20 years with Gundersen Health System, Frank Perez-Guerra, MBA, has been inspired by his work on behalf of the clinicians and staff that care for patients and communities.

"Positive, open, honest relationships and culture are so important to our interactions in healthcare, both with our patients and communities and with our coworkers," Perez-Guerra says. "Through these interactions, we build trust. It's something I've leaned on my entire career."

Perez-Guerra brings this same mentality to his new role as chief executive officer at Gundersen Moundview Hospital and Clinics, which he begins in July.

Since 1996,Perez-Guerra has been a respected leader for Gundersen Health System in the areas of medical and support staff recruitment, Employee and Labor Relations, and Gundersen Child Care Center, among others. Perez-Guerra also served as the interim chief executive officer at Gundersen Tri-County Hospital and Clinics and has provided support for leaders, clinicians and staff at each of Gundersen's Critical Access Hospitals.

"Gundersen Health System has built a reputation over the years for doing the right thing for rural healthcare," Perez-Guerra says. "Our partnerships with Critical Access Hospitals like Gundersen Moundview, the specialty services we provide close to home for patients, and working side-by-side with organizations and community groups to improve health and well-being are just a few examples of why I'm proud to work for Gundersen and why I'm excited to get to work for Gundersen Moundview, its staff and for our patients."

"Frank brings to Gundersen Moundview a great deal of experience working in rural healthcare, but also a unique perspective of Gundersen Health System and its resources," says Garith Steiner, vice president, Gundersen Critical Access Hospitals and Clinics. "This background combined with Frank's ability to build and sustain positive relationships will mean really great things for Gundersen Moundview patients and the community."

Perez-Guerra has also been an operations manager in Gundersen Human Resources and a director of physician and staff recruitment. Prior to his time at Gundersen, Perez-Guerra managed Human Resources at Hawkins Ash CPAs in La Crosse, Wis., and worked in Recruitment for The Northern Trust Company in Chicago.

Perez-Guerra is involved with the Society for Human Resource Management, American Society for Healthcare Human Resource Administration and the Medical Group Management Association. He also values community involvement, having served on the boards of the Winona (Minn.) Area Ambulance Services; La Crosse Area Development Corporation; La Crosse Symphony Orchestra and Viterbo University (La Crosse, Wis.) MBA Alumni Chapter.

Perez-Guerra plans to move to the Adams-Friendship area in the coming months to be close to work and enjoy some of his favorite pastimes: golf, hunting and running.