Meet Chief Executive Officer Tracy Rogers, LMHC
Sanford’s Chief Executive Officer Tracy Rogers with her son – finding synergy between work and play.
Tracy Rogers was perfectly happy as a healthcare operations consultant until she met Sanford Behavioral Health Founders Rae and David Green through a mutual colleague. As she puts it, “They are the reason I wanted to serve as a Chief Executive Officer again.” Because Sanford is privately owned and small enough to feel manageable, Tracy sees it as an opportunity to make a positive difference in people’s lives, helping them overcome challenges and achieve mental wellness.
Tracy has been a healthcare executive and hospital executive since 2013. She has a BA in Psychology and an MA in Mental Health Counseling and is a licensed mental health counselor. We sat down with Tracy to get her take on making changes at Sanford, integrative care, and how a compassionate culture impacts staff satisfaction and patient outcomes.
Meet Chief Executive Officer Tracy Rogers, LMHC
Limelight Interview
Click for Tracy Rogers’ Bio
“I have been told that I create a space for “innovation incubation.” I like to make room for experimentation, and I am a proponent of learning from one’s mistakes.” Tracy Rogers, LMHC
SBH – Welcome, Tracy. Please tell us about your primary focus as CEO of Sanford Behavioral Health.
Tracy Rogers: As CEO, my primary focus has been creating a compassionate and inclusive culture that prioritizes well-being and growth for our employees, our clients, and the surrounding community. In my experience, a positive employee culture directly impacts patient outcomes. When employees feel valued and empowered, they are more likely to provide high-quality care. I also think that a strong company culture promotes safety, accountability, open communication, and effective teamwork. As a cohesive team, we feel comfortable speaking up about concerns and posing ideas. Sanford leadership takes ownership of their decisions, and it filters down to their teams.
SBH – As the new CEO, what changes will you bring to Sanford Behavioral Health?
Tracy Rogers: (Laughs.) That’s a hard oneโa fresh perspective: a new, innovative approach to addressing challenges and opportunities. I focus on people and processes first. My leadership style is collaborative, and I will focus on developing a strategy that aligns with Sanford’s mission and values, scaling successful initiatives to drive growth and improvements. I have been told that I create a space for “innovation incubation.” I like to make room for experimentation, and I am a proponent of learning from one’s mistakes. One of the biggest things I bring is transparent communication and sharing my vision, goals, and plans openly, which creates a safe place for leaders to grow.
SBH – From your perspective as a therapist, what are the components of long-term recovery from a mental health condition?
Tracy Rogers: We must help our clients recognize the impact of their mental health condition. Our role is to instill hope and build resilience, self-confidence, and self-efficacy. From my perspective as a therapist, the components of long-term recovery include:
- Strong social connections with family, friends, and peers in recovery.
- Personal motivation and an intrinsic desire to change and overcome challenges.
- Developing effective ways to manage emotions, stress, and triggers.
- Discovering or rediscovering passions that bring joy and fulfillment.
SBH – How important is efficiency in admitting people into treatment?
Tracy Rogers: Very. We will become the triage center of West Michigan. I believe people should have 24/7 access to care. In fact, I’m an advocate for timely intervention. Early access to care significantly improves treatment outcomes, especially for people in acute conditions or crises. Delayed access to care worsens symptoms and creates complications. Better access to care is the number one focus at Sanford right now.
SBH – What is your take on the campus concept at Sanford West Behavioral Health Campus?
Tracy Rogers: At Sanford West, we aim for a comprehensive, integrative approach. In other words, when clients walk in the door for the first time, they will have access to a full continuum of services, from psychiatric care to the Sanford cafe and health spa (and everything in between), at one location. Our collaborative care teams integrate all services for addiction, eating disorders, and mental health, which allows for seamless transitions between programs with no delay in care. Simply put, the campus concept offers convenience and accessibility. Eventually, I would like to implement the “hub and spoke” model, where we have a campus with satellite locations for specialized services.
SBH – What do you like about your job as Chief Executive Officer?
Tracy Rogers: Building and leading a team. I love leading people! I’m a spiritual person, and God has equipped me with leadership skills. My favorite thing is working with competent professionals who share the same vision. I love watching them grow and find their purpose.
SBH – How about the challenges?
Tracy Rogers: Balancing competing priorities and staying competitive. How will we differentiate Sanford Behavioral Health in a crowded market while maintaining our strong reputation?
SBH – Speaking of balance, do you have a good work-life balance?
Tracy Rogers: (Laughs.) Goodness, gracious. Luckily, I have a child that helps me with that. It’s really, really hard. Over the years, I’ve learned that our personal and professional lives are interconnected and should be integrated, not separated. I want Sanford staff to see me as I am with my family and not as a front. Achieving harmony between my personal and professional life is not a trade-off. It’s about finding synergy between the two. Prioritizing self-care is important because if I don’t take a break, I cannot maintain my energy, motivation, and focus for the long haul.
SBH – Do you have a motto?
Tracy Rogers:ย “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Maya Angelou
SBH – What type of books do you read?
Tracy Rogers: I love reading books on spirituality; CS Lewis is a favorite. Right now, I am reading Mel Robbins’sโฏTheโฏLet Them Theoryโฏโฏ(I’ve probably read it ten times). The book focuses on the idea of releasing control and emotional attachment to other’s actions and choices. In essence, it’s about accepting that you can’t control others, but you can control how you respond to them. In the context of leadership, the “Let Them” theory can be applied in several ways. By giving up the need to control every aspect of my team’s work, I can empower them to take ownership and make decisions. It has helped me to learn how to create a culture of trust, value, and support for one another. It gives each person the autonomy to make decisions that are best for them and their teams.
SBH – Is Sanford Behavioral Health in the hospitality business?
Tracy Rogers: Hospitality is essential in treatment because it creates a welcoming and nonjudgemental environment that feels safe for people who are entering treatment. When patients come through the door, there is a common fear. Their families are afraid. We had a walk-in yesterday, and she wanted to leave as soon as she entered the lobby. It took several of us to make her feel comfortable enough to stay. We asked, “Can we get you a drink? Do you want a book? Would you like a blanket?” When she felt valued and not just like the broken “alcoholic” people had called her for her entire adult life, she stayed. That is the beginning of what promotes emotional healing. Focusing on hospitality, not like a hotel, but with a deep understanding and commitment to treating patients with dignity, respect, and compassion, embodies the patient-centered approach. We prioritize the client’s needs and preferences and substantiate their humanity,
SBH – That is a beautiful place to stop. Thanks, Tracy!
If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, eating disorders, or co-occurring mental health conditions, don’t wait to change your life. Click the link below to speak with a Sanford Behavioral Health admissions specialist today.
