Bellevue Healthcare’s new CEO bets on people, partnerships and organic growth

BELLEVUE, Wash. – Bellevue Healthcare’s new CEO knows the business from the ground up – literally. Joel Gallion joined the company in 2004 and has worked in nearly every operational role along the way, including president for the past 10 years. He recently discussed how that experience shapes his leadership approach and guides Bellevue’s growth strategy.

HME News: Do you think your experience across the company aids you in your new role as CEO?

Joel Gallion: So much of our business has gone toward technology and outsourcing and a lot of what we still do is very much operational. It's brick-and-mortar, it's delivery, it's logistics, it's warehouse and inventory, and figuring out how to provide great customer service. And so, I do think having that foundation has really helped all of our staff – not just me. Our philosophy has always been sort of a ground up, promote from within philosophy, and we still maintain that.

HME: What is it that keeps you at, not only Bellevue, but in the HME industry? 

Gallion: Maybe I’m a glutton for punishment? In the 22 years I've been in this industry, I've really seen it grow up, not always in good ways. Home care is such a major piece, but also a very undervalued piece, of our health care system and our ability to allow people to be in their homes and their home environment. It’s just vital that we keep people home, and I still see this our industry as a solution to that.

HME: The HME industry has undergone a lot of changes and challenges over the past two decades. What does it take to be a leader in the face of all that?

Gallion: I don’t know that anybody has that figured out. So much of it is outside of our control. But I do think that by being consistent to who we are and making sure that we just continue to provide a premium, customer-patient experience – if we stay true to that – then I do believe that there's a place for us long-term.

HME: How do you plan to grow Bellevue in the next few years?

Gallion: We want to really continue to find partners – whether it's payers, whether it's hospices, whether it's new markets – who value great service and long-term, sustainable relationships.

We've never been an acquirer; we've only done one really small acquisition in our almost 26 years. So, we are still committed to organic growth. That’s really our focus right now, being a full-service provider, (offering) complex rehab, respiratory, hospice, general bent metal, DME, and retail. I think, right now, our focus is to really expand in the markets we're in, because I do think there's a lot of opportunities even within our existing footprint.