Balloon rides, Ebola and business: A talk with a hospital CEO

By Jackie Valley

Thursday, Oct. 30, 2014 | 2 a.m.

Keep an eye on the sky this weekend.

The fourth annual Balloon Festival at Southern Hills Hospital and Medical Center kicks off Friday morning with food trucks, carnival rides and games, a haunted maze, trick-or-treating and, of course, hot-air balloon rides and displays. The festival runs through Sunday night on the hospital grounds, 9300 W. Sunset Road, Las Vegas.

The event is free, and ticket fees for carnival activities and balloon rides will go to The Public Education Foundation to pay for scholarships for high school students interested in health care careers. The Silverton, Vegas Balloon Rides, the Greenspun Media Group and other businesses are sponsoring the festival.

The man behind the Balloon Festival is the same man who runs Southern Hills Hospital and Medical Center. CEO Kim Anderson shared his take on balloon rides and business.

How did the Balloon Festival get its start?

On the way to work one morning, I saw a crew inflating their balloons and getting ready to launch. I pulled into the vacant lot to the east of the hospital and introduced myself. The pilot said, “You’re gonna chase me off your property, aren’t you?”

I said, “No, I wanted to make sure you felt welcomed, because this is so awesome to have you here. A lot of the patients tell me how uplifting it is to see the balloons.”

A few weeks later, I got a message that he would like for me to come and meet with him. He gave us a ride in his balloon to thank us for letting him launch on our property. While we were in flight, I asked him if they had a balloon festival in Las Vegas, and he said no.

I said, “Well, what would it take to put one on here?”

He said, “I don’t know — somebody to organize it and a place.”

And I said, “Well, let’s try it.”

What was that first balloon ride like?

When you think about floating between 500 and 1,000 feet above the ground in a basket, it’s a little disconcerting. But once you get up there, it’s so awesome because it’s so tranquil. You just float. There are no quick movements. You go where the breeze takes you.

What has been on your mind lately as a hospital CEO?

I think one of the things on the top of all our minds is Ebola. All the hospitals in Las Vegas are doing what they can to prepare for it. We certainly have been providing lots of education to our staff on how to use protective gear and what to do in case a patient should present to the hospital.

Are you worried about Ebola?

I think we’re all a little bit nervous and concerned, but the thing is, we deal with these kinds of situations in health care. We just have to be prepared and take care of people. That’s what we’re working on doing. We’re learning from other facilities around the country.

The hospital celebrated its 10th birthday earlier this year. What are the plans for the future?

We’re planning to launch a laborist program, which is an obstetrics doctor in the hospital all the time. We’re expanding our NICU. And we have plans to begin construction next year on an additional medical-surgical unit. It will be finishing out our fifth floor, providing an additional 46 beds.

We’ve had good growth and hope to continue to see growth. As the community’s economic health improves, hopefully we can add to the physical health and well-being of the community.

What’s the best business advice you’ve ever received?

I worked for an old cowboy. He was a horse trainer and a bullfighter. When I was a kid in Utah, I used to hang around his ranch because I loved horses and enjoyed watching what they were doing. I ended up with a horse, and I needed a place to keep him, so I asked him if I could work for him and keep my horse at his place.

He taught me so many good things — good old cowboy wisdom. For instance, he said, “Kim, the harder you work, the luckier you get.” He taught me to work hard and enjoy it. Enjoy work, and look for opportunities. That wisdom is applicable to all aspects of life.

What’s your favorite book?

“Gung Ho!” by Ken Blanchard and Sheldon Bowles.

BlackBerry, iPhone or Android?

iPhone.