By KALEY CONNER

kconner@dailynews.net

PLAINVILLE -- Rooks County Health Center has recruited a new chief executive officer, ending a six-month national search for someone to fill the position.

Mike Sinclair relocated to northwest Kansas from Artesia, N.M., and began work about a week ago.

"And I'm happy to be here," Sinclair said.

Sinclair has been working as a hospital administrator since 1976, working primarily in rural hospitals and helping with a number of remodels.

The Minnesota native grew up in a town with a population of about 800 people and said he prefers small-town culture.

Sinclair replaces Shirley Weisz of Garden City, who was filling the position on an interim basis.

There were other candidates for the position. According to a press release, an employee panel participated in the hiring process.

"I think his qualifications, for sure, and his references just stood out, and his great experience," said Kathy Ramsay, communications and development director.

Sinclair learned of the job opening through a national medical journal, and said he was impressed with the hospital's technology and staff during his initial visit.

"The technology here, I've been in a couple of places we'd have died to have what they have," he said. "It's good."

As CEO, Sinclair is responsible for overseeing the hospital's daily operations and carrying out the policies established by the hospital's board of directors.

Already, Sinclair has been discussing future growth strategies with staff members, and hopes to continue efforts to recruit additional physicians and visiting specialists.

There are three potential physician recruitments in the works, and he hopes services like gynecology, ear, nose and throat medicine, orthopedics and urology could soon be available in Plainville.

Such positions would not be full-time, he said, noting the hospital's service area would not have enough need to support that.

Sinclair's wife, Karen, and 11-year-old son, Nolan, are residing in New Mexico and will move to Kansas as soon as possible. The couple has two other grown children, Ann and Christine.

Sinclair said he is enjoying Plainville so far, and hopes to become more involved in community activities.

"The culture here and the people are what makes this community warm," he said. "It's the people that make this hospital successful because of their compassion, the way they care for people."