Lake Regional Health System (LRHS) has selected its new Director of Surgical Services at Lake Regional Hospital after a search led by B.E. Smith. On August 5, Joe Ornelas stepped into the role and is already making an impact within LRHS’s perioperative department.

Melissa Hunter, Senior Vice President of Clinical Services at LRHS, interviewed several candidates for the role and Ornelas’s demeanor seemed like the best fit for the organization. This was a key factor, as LRHS wanted a leader who could develop and nurture relationships within the department

“Joe is steady, patient, and brings great experience from both large and small settings,” Hunter said. “He has been able to create strong relationships with physicians and staff.

Ornelas, who has provided leadership across large and complex settings across the Midwest, is dedicated to providing safe, efficient, and compassionate patient care. Upon speaking with LRHS leadership during his interviews, he could sense the same positive energy and passion about healthcare.

In his first month in this new role, Ornelas has already established trust with his team

“My experience, as someone who has performed almost every role in the perioperative arena, gives me the ability to understand what each staff member may be feeling when they bring their concerns to me,” he said. “I will use these skills to aid my staff in any way possible to make our patients’ entire experience a perfect one.

Ornelas will be overseeing a growing department with seven ORs, Pain Clinic, Pre- and Post-Operative Services, Sterile Processing, and Outpatient Surgery.

Located in the Lake of the Ozarks region in Missouri, Lake Regional Hospital is a 116-bed community hospital featuring a Level III Trauma Center and Level II Stroke Center. The facility is part of LRHS, which is consists of seven primary care clinics, 17 specialty clinics, three walk-in clinics, four satellite physical and cardiac rehab therapy sites, retail pharmacies, and home health services. 

Founded in 1978, B.E. Smith is the trusted partner in Interim Leadership and Executive Search solutions for organizations and healthcare professionals across the healthcare continuum. Exclusive to the healthcare industry, our personalized placement methodology best matches professionals to organizations enabling them to improve clinical, financial, and operational performance. Since 2000, B.E. Smith has supported more than 6,000 leaders advance their careers.