Merit Health River Region: A CEO’s Perspective

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) – At Merit Health River Region, leadership is about more than boardrooms and business strategies. For the hospital’s CEO, Nick Arledge, it means rolling up his sleeves, trading his suit for scrubs, and stepping into the roles that often go unseen.

The decision to join the Environmental Services (EVS) team for a day came from a simple belief: to make effective decisions, leaders must first understand what frontline work is really like. It’s a philosophy rooted in the CEO’s own journey, which began in the U.S. Army washing dishes before moving into health care as a radiologic and CT technician.

“It’s easy to forget how challenging the jobs of frontline staff can be,” he said. “Stepping into their shoes can help us make better decisions.”

The hands-on approach isn’t just a personal experiment. The hospital’s leadership team is encouraged to do the same. Assistant CEO Trevor Spradling recently spent a day in Environmental Services, a move designed to bring leaders closer to the realities of daily hospital operations.

During his time with the EVS team, the Nick was struck by the commitment of staff members who work tirelessly to create a safe, comfortable environment for patients. He highlighted the dedication of Ronnie Green, a Marine veteran and EVS Assistant II-Floor Tech, who consistently goes beyond expectations. He also praised Labertha Sanders, another floor technician, for her attentiveness to patient comfort and care.

“These team members play a crucial role in healing,” he said. “Even if a patient has a good interaction with caregivers, if their room doesn’t feel clean and welcoming, their experience suffers.”

The initiative reflects the hospital’s culture of servant leadership, which the CEO defines as an upside-down pyramid—putting staff and patients at the center while leadership provides the support. He plans to continue these monthly experiences, reinforcing that every department, no matter its visibility, contributes to patient care.

Large employee celebrations and an open-door policy also help ensure staff feel valued and heard, but leading by example, he said, is one of the most powerful tools to boost morale.

“When you live a life of service, you show others that it’s fulfilling,” he said. “It improves employee morale and patient care.”

For the Vicksburg community, the message is clear: Merit Health River Region is committed to building on its strong culture and ensuring every patient encounter reflects the hospital’s values of compassion, service, and teamwork.

As for legacy, the CEO isn’t focused on personal accolades. Instead, he hopes to create pathways for staff and doctors to expand services, drive innovation, and make lasting improvements in patient outcomes.

“My goal is to empower our team to go the extra mile for patients,” he said. “That’s how we make a lasting impact on this community.”