Table of Contents
Overview
When Scotland Health Care System, a rural community hospital in North Carolina, faced a critical leadership gap in its Imaging Department, they needed immediate, experienced support. Leadership vacancies in rural settings can strain teams, delay key projects and impact morale.
Partnering with Qualivis gave Scotland Health quick access to an interim leader who stabilized operations, advanced major initiatives and guided the department through one of the busiest years in the hospital’s history.
Today, Scotland Health continues to work with Qualivis, leveraging interim leadership and other workforce solutions to sustain quality care. This trusted partnership keeps them ready for whatever comes next — grounded in shared values, responsiveness and results.
The Challenge
Scotland Health’s Imaging Department was in the midst of a high-stakes year. Major projects — including a department expansion, licensing a mobile mammography bus, launching a new interventional radiology (IR) service line and transitioning radiology physician groups — were all underway.
At the same time, an unexpected leadership departure left the department vulnerable. With mission-critical initiatives advancing, Scotland Health needed a seasoned interim director who could step in quickly, lead confidently and keep projects on track.
Key challenges included:
- Filling a historically hard-to-recruit role with no internal candidates ready to step up.
- Needing a rapid placement to avoid disruption in patient care and project timelines.
- Finding a leader skilled in both operational management and staff engagement.
The Qualivis Solution
Scotland Health turned to Qualivis, and the process moved at remarkable speed.
- Dec 20: Scotland Health leadership met with Qualivis
- Dec 23 (just 3 days later, during Christmas week): The first candidate was presented and accepted — an experienced interim leader who had a proven record of extending assignments due to strong performance.
- Selection: This candidate brought well-rounded expertise ideally suited for Scotland Health’s unique rural environment.
“Qualivis was able to come through in a short period of time when we needed someone with a high level of expertise, experience, and professionalism. The quick response, high-quality candidate, and ease of process were invaluable.”
— Christi Meggs, SVP & CHRO, Scotland Health Care System
The Interim Leader’s Impact
Responsibilities & Projects
What began as a short-term engagement became a lasting success story. The Interim Director of Imaging’s performance was so impactful that Scotland Health offered him the full-time role — which he accepted. His leadership stabilized the department, delivered critical initiatives and rebuilt trust across the team.
From day one, he took on critical responsibilities:
- Evaluating staff and coordinators.
- Overseeing the build-out and operational launch of the expanded department.
- Launching the mobile mammography bus and new IR service line.
- Strengthening collaboration with a new radiology physician group.
- Optimizing operations for efficiency and cost savings.
Quick Wins
- Empowered coordinators: Trained and held coordinators accountable, creating stronger front-line leadership.
- Cost savings: Identified ways to reduce nuclear medicine expenses without compromising care.
- Staff engagement: Met with every team member to rebuild trust and cohesion after prior leadership changes.
Culture & Collaboration
Transparent and direct, he quickly earned staff confidence. Partnering with HR, he improved recruitment, identified internal promotion opportunities and stabilized morale during a sensitive transition.
Results
- Permanent hire: Offered and accepted the full-time Director role.
- Projects delivered: Completed the department expansion, IR service line and mobile mammography bus.
- Improved satisfaction: Physician and staff satisfaction increased significantly.
- Retention & morale: Strengthened staff stability and renewed trust in leadership.
Why Interim Made Sense
For Scotland Health, interim leadership wasn’t just a stopgap — it was a strategic decision.
- Cost justification: The potential risks of stalled projects, errors or leadership decline outweighed the interim cost.
- Recruitment advantage: By hiring their interim leader permanently, Scotland Health avoided a placement fee and gained a “try before you buy” opportunity.
- Value delivered: The interim leader provided immediate stability while positioning the hospital for long-term success.
A Continuing Partnership
Today, Scotland Health continues its partnership with Qualivis, leveraging interim leadership alongside other staffing solutions to maintain operational strength and deliver quality care to the community. This trusted relationship enables Scotland Health to respond quickly to evolving needs, guided by shared values and proven results.