Patrick Brown, FACHE
Professional & Support Services Officer
Texas Health Allen
What did you want to be as a kid and how did you ultimately choose your career?
When I was a kid, I wanted to be in several professions. I wanted to be an engineer, a pharmacist, an accountant or a professional athlete (so many choices!). I ultimately settled on health care administration when I finished my undergraduate degree. I started out in human resources as a recruiter, and over the last 12 years have held several positions across the country and have had a blast. I really believe that the work that I’m doing has a societal benefit, and that’s what gets me out of bed every morning.
What is a typical workday like?
No two days are alike, as health care and the issues that we face are ever-changing. Generally speaking, my days consist of seeing that support and ancillary departments have the tools and equipment they need to support our nurses and the physicians on the medical staff. I also spend time working with our entity president, looking at the competitive landscape in our market and developing programs and service lines that meet the needs of our community. As a result of that, I also interact with physicians to see that the hospital is meeting the needs of their patients.
What is the biggest challenge of your work?
The biggest challenge of my work is seeing that we are providing care and programs in the most cost-effective manner. There are tremendous headwinds in health care, but when handled appropriately, health systems will be able to position themselves for the long term.
What do you like most about your job?
I like the challenge that I just mentioned. Working to ensure that our institution is around for several decades means that we will be able to treat generations of people close to their homes. It’s an opportunity to be a part of something that’s long-lasting.
What do you do when you’re not at work?
When I’m not at work, I love to spend time with my wife and three kids. My kids are 8, 6 and 4, and they are an absolute joy to be with. I also enjoy working out, playing golf and reading.
