The hospital was originally established in the community in 1926. The current site was constructed in 1956 and remodeled extensively in 1986 and again in 2004. In January of 2002, with financial support, strong leadership and a view to the future, the Board of Directors of Wickenburg Community Hospital made a key decision. Realizing the need for an Executive Officer with extensive experience, vision, resolve, fortitude, and most importantly, strong leadership capabilities, the board sought the services of Dale A. Decker.
Mr. Decker brings 36 years of administrative leadership to the Board. He evidenced strong political connections to Arizona’s health care leadership by his past presidency of the Arizona Hospital Association. The key predictor of success was evidenced by his palpable passion to envision and create a new model of health care delivery that would serve as a model for small communities throughout the region.
Charged with developing a concept of health care delivery that is not “what we are left with”, but what is best and most appropriate for our geographical location and population, Dale A. Decker, CEO, took the risk of standing and saying to all stake holders that the “Emperor wore no clothes”. Dramatic change and difficult decisions have been made by the Board, and community, to position the organization to provide health care services of a scope and style that fit the needs of the community while taking advantage of the proximity of full service health care institutions with whom we partner.
The Board of Directors, Administration, and Staff of Wickenburg Community Hospital have developed a unique health care delivery system that will set a precedent for small communities throughout the state and nation, as an appropriate and creative response to emerging health care realities.