Community Impact, Growth & Resilience with Fairfax Medical Facilities

Speaker A: Thank you so much for joining us on the CHC podcast. This is Chase Marable, host of the CHC podcast and we have a incredible guest today, Ms. Tammy Leeper with Fairfax Medical Facilities Incorporated out of Fairfax, Oklahoma, the CEO of uh, Fairfax. Tammy, thank you so much for being on the podcast today.

Speaker B: Well, thank you for the uh, invitation and I'm excited to participate.

Speaker A: Absolutely. You know, today we're going to really have an opportunity to talk about the incredible work that Fairfax Medical Facilities does in your community and just the importance of the federally qualified health center model and again the impact you make on the population you serve. But before we get there, I'm really interested in your background. Tell me more about what led you to the fairly qualified health center world and a little bit about your background.

Speaker B: Okay, well, a little bit about uh, myself and, and um, how I got to where I am is I kind of always had a passion for financial, I guess, aspects and numbers and so I kind of got into working into that realm. I started at, you know, hotels doing customer service, really working with high end clientele and then into tribal government and then on into the federally qualified health center space is I. Our family was brought to Oklahoma and this opportunity being right here, local in my hometown of where I am now is, is something I couldn't pass up to, to join the space in the uh, accounting field, the finance field, and just through growth and learning about the organization, what it brings, what it's. Before I really just kind of jumped in and got to experience a lot of the different roles with Fairfax Medical Facilities into the operations and learning the FQHC space, what the patient care, everything that it was that incorporated. And so when the opportunity to become CEO was available, I jumped on it. We really collect it. It's something that I and kind of continue and can see where this organization can grow to.

Speaker A: Oh, that's amazing, Tammy. And so you had your finance and accounting background, had the opportunity to come back to your hometown and I know the stars align there and it probably had to be a little bit of a, uh, opportunity for growth just to learn the FQHC model because it can be so different than maybe the tribal governments or private business that you've been in in the past financially with your grant funding and reimbursements and things of that. N.

Speaker B: Yes. So the tribal government really gave me a good background for grants. The CFRs being able to really understand the reporting and what they look for, auditing, documentation, everything along that nature. And so being able to bring that into the FQHC Space with hrsa, they're a little bit different, but the concept was theirs that I was able to kind of pick up on that and, and run with that as well.

Speaker A: Uh, that's amazing. And then you stepped into the Fairfax medical facilities on the accounting and finance side, and now just recently onto the CEO side. And congrats again, and really excited to see as you continue to grow your. Your. Your facility and your fairly qualified health center continue serving the population and the community you serve. And, you know, let's. Let's talk about that. You know, Fairfax medical facilities is so important to the communities where you have your clinics and where you. You have your population and your demographic coming in for the health services. Tell me more about that. Tell me more about just the importance of your facility and your community and what that looks like.

Speaker B: Well, I think to kind of hit on that is from the beginning, Fairfax is a small town, small rural town in Oklahoma, and there really isn't a lot of opportunity for employment here. And so there were a group of individuals that really wanted to bring something to the community to help Fairfax pick up and be able to be an employer of choice or preference. And they decided to go down the health center route and were able to get signed up as an NFQHC and really bring that opportunity of employment to the facility or to the area, as well as services to the area of individuals here that they don't have to drive to go get care. And so being able to, I guess, expand on and really support that original idea and concept of why Fairfax medical facilities exist is really important to not lose sight of that. And we were successful enough at Fairfax that it was able to expand and to now four. Four other locations, with our newest one being opened just this summer in Ponca City, but we have one in Kominy. Then we went to Newkirk and then then to Ponca City. So that was really something that we still strive to accomplish is being an employer that is in the hometown that is competitive and able to bring that opportunity medal to the community as an employer, but then also be able to provide medical care, dental care, mental health services, and even pharmacy services.

Speaker A: Incredible. Incredible to see what the mission was. And as you continue to live, that mission, continue to grow. And something we talk a lot about on this podcast is removing the barriers to care. And one of the largest barriers to care is transportation. And so when you can be in the cities of the communities that you're serving, it really does allow for that community to come get the health services that they would Just simply not otherwise be receiving. Achieving.

Speaker B: Exactly. We still have that barrier. It's still in existence for those that live even more rural and remote to our communities. But we are able to make a dent in that and we're able to kind of be able to provide additional services with telehealth now to help break down even that, that barrier, uh, further.

Speaker A: Absolutely. And something that I've just always admired about your facilities is in every sense of the form of growth, you're looking for new opportunities, looking for communities you can serve. And it's so apparent just with the new clinic we just opened up in Ponca City this summer. So maybe as from a C suite leadership perspective, could you give your perspective on growth to other community health centers that may be looking to take that next step to add the new clinic, to add the mobile unit, add the new city. You know, know what, what kind of do. Do you look at when you look at growth and the opportunity in different

Speaker B: areas, the growth and the opportunities, one, you have to make sure it makes financial sense for the organization. You don't want to put yourself into a hole. Um, and also be prepared for the hard, the hard times, the hard months on getting that growth and going through it. Just to be our multifaceted, to bend and flex with that. But looking at the patients, the availability of what they already have in that area, as well as what their needs are that are not being met, how can you expand that? So, you know, we have the Ponca City location that we opened up. We chose not to put dental there because our new prep facility is really only about 15 miles away. They can get dental care. Dental is a trickier field to fill and to get services. And there's a lot of dental competition in the area. So we chose not to put that in that location. Not to say we couldn't expand and grow to that later, but initially. But the medical and the mental health is so needed. And so those are the areas that we really focused on and transitioned to. And um, looking at our existing patients and the opportunities of where we could reach out to the community and expand further.

Speaker A: Amazing. It's absolutely amazing. And as you continue to grow and you can reach so many more, more, more patients and reach those people in the community that need your services. And I would assume that partnering with your local community, either businesses or governments, is also really key in that expansion, whether it's the city or the county or the local hospital or the other clinics, and just reaching out and letting them know that we're here to serve the Population in this area, I'm sure, has made an impact.

Speaker B: Yes. And that's something that we daily are cognitive of, uh, is who else can we reach out to to let us let them know that we're here? How could we collaborate? How can we partner? How could we bring our services and their services together? Whether it's meeting with a local community agency that helps the underinsured or, you know, the individuals that fall in hard times.

Speaker A: Yeah.

Speaker B: Um, how can we help that? Can we just volunteer to help distribute food. Food boxes to just let them know that we're here to help as well, or partnering with a local daycare to say, you know, we have these services available that you may not be aware of that we can do? Just. Just getting the word out and being involved in the community to try to become a common name is key. And m. That's something that we're really striving to enhance right now.

Speaker A: It's amazing. And as we, you know, started the conversation with, is that the mission in the value statement for Fairfax Medical Facilities is what really brought you in to working at such an incredible organization. And I think something that has remained true is as you've grown into the clinics and as you've grown into the different cities you're serving, your team hasn't forgot that initial purpose of being a employer of choice, providing the health services to those that, uh, need that in. Every decision that you're making goes back to, are we. Are we able to execute on these values and on this m. Mission statement that we set out when we very first began Fairfax Medical Facilities?

Speaker B: Yes. Yes. That is something that, uh. I know I've only been here really a short time period, but it was from the beginning that I really understood that. And now as CEO, I really agree 100%, and I'm really supportive and behind that to keep that in my mind on the decisions that I make.

Speaker A: Absolutely. Is there anything else? You know, we have so, uh, many community health center CEOs and CFOs that join and listen in coming into your CEO role and learning so much and looking at growth. And, you know, we're in a very precarious position with the, uh, federal environment and funding and all these items going on. You know, is there any advice that maybe you would give to a CFO or CEO that that may be in your shoes, may be looking to grow, you know, maybe looking to add on additional services? Any. Any words of wisdom that. That you would give?

Speaker B: There. Something that I would say that I look at personally is you have to look at your foundation. Is your foundation solid? Are there educational opportunities or, you know, maybe even financial claim opportunities that aren't being taken to the full advantage? Start there, build your foundation and make sure you have a solid plan before expanding and adding those services. Because you can. There's a ton of opportunities, there's a ton of different directions that you can go. But if you're spread too thin, you can't focus on those and you can't get them, um, really implemented in a very effective manner. And then you end up frustrated or you end up with staff that's frustrated because they can't get to where they want to be. Yeah. With that, uh, and so I think it's important to just be mindful, don't put too much on the, on your plate, and just make those, um, steps and take those little wins along the way and the little victories.

Speaker A: Absolutely. And just lay down a great foundation. Then build the house on top of the foundation. And what you just said is so true in congratulating and celebrating the little wins that get to the larger goal.

Speaker B: Yes. Sometimes it feels like it's a baby step, but it's, it's all important. It's all. Everybody is all on the same page as a team. And, um, as long as everybody understands that you can't do it without them and that's why they're there.

Speaker A: Absolutely.

Speaker B: They want to be there as well and encouraging that.

Speaker A: Absolutely. And as you know, something we mentioned earlier is being an employer of choice. And in the healthcare and community health center world, we've seen a really strong challenge in workforce development and attracting great talent into organizations and retaining talent. But you guys have just done an incredible job at being the employer choice in your communities. So I just wonder if you have any word of wisdom there. I, uh, know that culture is really big to you and your organization. I think that has really, really drive that result and that employer of choice. But, you know, as I'm a CEO, cfo, looking to help retain and attract talent, what would, what would your perspective be there?

Speaker B: You know, being willing to listen to your employees, being open to conversations. I know I don't know everything. There's a lot I don't know. In fact, and being able to listen to your employees, the team members, um, especially the ones that are in it day in and day out, let them have that voice, have the buy in as, as an employee really helps boost morale and improvements and, and then they take ownership of their own roles. Really helps. And having a positive atmosphere really helps encourage the fact that we are an employer that's beneficial to work for. Granted, we may not be able to pay the most as an FQHC as some others, but we try to really enhance that. We have good benefits, we have a good work life balance. We really try to strive for, you know, being able to have, um, some other benefits that we can provide to the employees other than just the compensation benefit.

Speaker A: Absolutely. And that's so important to see the, the total holistic view of a benefit, of a value that organization gives to our employees. And you guys do a great job at that. Not just medical and employee benefits, but the work life balance, the culture, other benefits that we are engaging with our employees. Well, Tammy, this has been an incredible conversation. Talking about just the importance in the mission originally of Fairfax, where you started, where you're at now, and the growth you're continuing to have. Talking about just the words of wisdom for growth for other C suite and other leaders within community health centers as they look to make those growth moves into 2026. Uh, and then we also talked about being an employer choice and what that really means. And I love what you said about just list listening to our team, understanding their needs, understanding their challenges, and leading side by side with our team, understanding how can we best empower them to be the best at their role so we can then go out and be the best at serving our community. As we come to a close today, is there any words of advice or call to action you would give to other health center leaders, ah, that maybe has really, really made an impact on you or just something that you're seeing in the marketplace in 2026? Any, any call to action you would give?

Speaker B: I guess my biggest call to action that I would, I would say is the healthcare industry is ever changing and being flexible and being able to have the support team surrounding you to be able to work with that. Those changes and the differences that are coming along the way are important in what's going to help you sustain going forward.

Speaker A: Absolutely. And as you and I both know, it is ever changing and there's so many factors that we can't control. However, we can react and we can be proactive and we can be flexible and nimble enough to have the best outcome when things change in our marketplace, from either funding to talent development to our community's needs.

Speaker B: Yes. And to always kind of keep that in mind as we're making decisions is important too.

Speaker A: Absolutely. Well, Tammy, thank you so much for your conversation today. We have learned so much about you, about Fairfax. You guys are doing incredible work incredible growth and really, really excited to see where you continue to take your facilities to and just the impact that you're going on, the communities you serve. So, Tammy, thank you so much.

Speaker B: Um, thank you for this opportunity.