Gene has a Bachelors and Masters degree in Business Administration from Rockhurst University in Kansas City. He began his health care career at Spelman Hospital in Smithville where he rose through the ranks to become CEO. Gene led Spelman to an affiliation with the St. Luke's Health System. He became Senior Associate Director for St. Luke's Hospital in 1992. He was responsible for the planning, construction, and medical staff development for the $65 million health care facility. Gene moved on to Lawrence Memorial Hospital where he became President and CEO in 1997.
He has led the hospital to expanding services that include a freestanding outpatient facility, an acute rehabilitation operation, a wound healing center, and oncology services. The hospital has received several awards since Gene took the helm, including the 2003 Kansas Excellence Award from the Malcolm Baldridge Foundation. He serves on the board of directors of several Kansas organizations, in addition to teaching Health Services Administration at Webster University. Gene resides in Lawrence, Kansas.
