Decades Interview with Greg Seiler '92, FACHE

 Reflecting on his past, Greg Seiler ’92 says that he cultivated his longtime interest in science early in life, leading him to major in biomedical science in college with thoughts of medical school for postgraduate work. As he began investigating that career path, he was inspired by the people he spoke with and quickly realized he could have a greater impact on a larger number of people in health care administration.

He found the Trinity HCAD program a “great experience and very influential time.” Mostly, he remembers the closeness that developed among the small cohort of 25 classmates. “We worked together, studied together, went out together, and spent time at Bombay Bicycle Club drinking beer. We also had the privilege and honor of being the last class taught by Dr. Paul Golliher, an institution of the Trinity HCAD program. Among the professors with whom he remains close, Greg singles out Dr. Mary Stefl. “It was obvious then—and it became even more obvious over the next 20-plus years-—how much of an influential, groundbreaking person she was and is.”

Greg began his career as Vice President of Cardiovascular and Neuroscience Services with Methodist Health Care where he worked with John Hornbeak, Jim Scoggin, and Steve Bancroft. “All of them were a true inspiration to me, not only in health care but also in life. They taught me the basics of how to do the right thing in business, what customer service was about, and what was important in taking care of the patient. I continue to use those skills today.”  

As his career progressed, Greg served as COO of Gulf Coast Medical Center in Panama City, Fla., COO at Riverside Community Hospital in Riverside, Calif., and CEO of Rio Grande Regional Hospital in McAllen, Texas, before returning to San Antonio to become CEO of both Metropolitan Methodist and Methodist Hospital South in Jourdanton, a position he has held for the last seven years. He considers Metropolitan Methodist to truly be his hospital, having been born in a Salvation Army Home nearby and having had surgery there when he was 17 years old. “Now to be the CEO, living in the community that Metropolitan Methodist Hospital serves, is something I think about on a regular basis. It’s what keeps me motivated to continue to do the work that I believe God wants me to do.”

Throughout his career, Greg has developed a reputation for making significant and positive cultural changes to create environments of trust for employees and physicians, better enabling them to provide the level of care that the communities they serve desire and deserve. He is most proud of what has been accomplished at Metropolitan Methodist Hospital. When he first arrived, Greg acknowledges that it had a reputation of being a questionable hospital. Under his leadership, it became the first hospital in Texas and the eighth in the nation to be sepsis-certified by the Joint Commission in 2017. Today it is known for being a top hospital for patient safety and quality.

 “The best part of my job is seeing the patients we help and hearing from members of our community when they experience our wonderful quality and service and to know they trust us with their major health care needs,” he says.” Greg also finds it very satisfying to watch employees progress in their careers, whether it’s an executive who achieved his or her first position as CEO or COO or a PCA who has graduated and is a nurse working on the floor.

That’s not to say there are no stresses. “I think the most stressful part of working in the hospital business is that we often forget or underestimate that we are open 24/7/365,” he says. “This is something that can wear on a person.”

To handle the stress of running a business that never closes, Greg, who has been married for 29 years and has two grown daughters, has a relaxing variety of hobbies and pastimes. Still an athlete, he enjoys running, golf, and triathlons. More cerebral pursuits include Broadway shows, travel, and reading non-fiction, especially about spirituality. He enjoys cooking and does most of it at home, where he also pursues his amateur interest in birdwatching at the numerous feeders in his backyard. In the community, he is involved with the Tobin Hill Association, the Prosthetics Foundation, and the Chamber of Commerce. He also co-chaired the American Cancer Society’s Cattle Baron’s Gala in 2016 and chaired the March of Dimes Walk for Babies in 2012 and 2015. In 2000, he was selected for the San Antonio Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 award and in 2017, he was recognized as the 2017 C-Suite Award Winner.

Greg’s motivation is “to try to be the example that God wants me to be for others, and I hope the hospitals I lead are also the kinds of places that are examples of how God wants us to live, love, and show His mercy. It has been a great career to move around the country and experience different cities and cultures and all the good things they have to offer,” he says. “Now, to be back in San Antonio where I hope to finish my career is something I didn’t necessarily plan on but  I’m enjoying it very much.”