Taking the lead

On Jan. 4, Mike Hurlburt became the new chief executive officer at the Center for Neurosciences, Orthopaedics & Spine, P.C. (CNOS), in Dakota Dunes.

Hurlburt, a Cincinnati native with more than 15 years of experience as a healthcare executive, came to CNOS from The Haelan Group - a start-up venture focusing on population health management.

In 2005, he was a key member of the executive leadership team for the Indianapolis-based company, which focuses on providing predictive modeling services for large, self-funded employers. Using perception health management science and an integrated health intervention tool, the company identifies high users of medical services and enrolls them in a behavioral management program to reduce overall health service use.

Before joining The Haelan Group, Hurlburt was a founding partner of The Rubicon Group, L.L.C., a physician practice management and consulting company in Columbus, Ohio, providing management services to more than 250 physicians in obstetrics and gynecology, general surgery, anesthesiology, gastroenterology, orthopaedics, pediatrics and multi-specialty physician groups.

At The Rubicon Group, he served from 2003-2005 as the primary liaison between physicians and hospital/health systems to enhance orthopaedic, cardiology catheterization lab, gastroenterology and general surgery services. In addition, he negotiated and completed the acquisition of a diagnostic imaging center, an information technology company and a consulting company to offer complementary services and ancillary opportunities to the managed physicians.

Hurlburt served as a co-executive for Rubicon's insurance division, including their self-funded Captive for Professional Liability and a retail insurance company, offering a wide variety of insurance products.

He also was the principal for their Consulting Services division, which involved revenue cycle management, business development, operations management, financial management, debt management, property management, provider profiling and contract negotiation, and physician practice mergers and acquisitions.

His most relevant work experience has been as chief executive officer of OrthoNeuro, a large multi-specialty neuromusculoskeletal physician group. Hurlburt initiated and created an annual strategic planning process that focused on growth, ancillary development, financial management, operational excellence and quality management. During his time as CEO from 1998-2005, he secured a strategic partnership with a major health system for a Hospital Surgical Services Program, which developed a hospital within a hospital especially for neuromusculoskeletal care.

He also planned and coordinated the development of a Specialty Surgical Hospital, a 42-bed, 8-operating room, 95,000-square-foot physician invested facility completed in the fall of 2003. One of his other achievements included the creation of a Foundation for Research, Education and Prevention, a 501c (3) charitable organization sponsoring research initiatives, fellowship and sub-specialty post-residency programs and prevention mechanisms for orthopaedic and neurologic disorders.

Hurlburt has a master's degree in hospital and health service administration from the University of Xavier in Cincinnati. He received his bachelor's degree in business and health care administration from Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio.

He is a member of BONES, an orthopaedic society, and the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA). He is also a member of the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce. He has been a past member of the Arthritis Foundation.

As the new CEO, Hurlburt's goals for CNOS are to continue to develop centers of excellence with a focus on musculoskeletal care, develop a more comprehensive regional-based strategy, continue to be a good community partner, and provide excellent care to patients in the Siouxland area.

He plans to accomplish the above goals by working with local hospitals in the area, continuing to develop professional relationships, continuing to work with the community as a whole by being involved with the chambers of commerce and employer groups, working in partnership with referring physicians, and developing a strong worker's compensation group.

"I think I bring a fresh perspective and new energy to the job," said Hurlburt. "I also bring an entrepreneurial spirit (having been a business owner) and a very eclectic healthcare background."

So far, Hurlburt said he likes what he sees at CNOS and in the community.

"I am impressed with the physicians and medical and health community as a whole, and I am impressed with the community leadership. We have felt so welcomed by the people in the Siouxland community, exactly what you would expect from Dakota Dunes and Sioux City, which are great Midwest cities," he said.

In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family, participating in outdoor activities, and cooking Italian and cajun food.

Hurlburt and his wife Jodi are transitioning from Indianapolis. They have four children: a 9-year-old daughter, an 8-year-old son, a 5-year-old daughter and a 4-year-old son.

CNOS is located at 575 Sioux Point Road in Dakota Dunes. For more information about their services or to make an appointment, call (605) 217-2667.