Bobby Ginn is the new CEO of L.V. Stabler Memorial Hospital in Greenville.

Q: Tell me a little about your background –

where you grew up, went to school, and so forth.

A: I grew up in Birmingham and in Vestavia, and went to school at Vestavia Hills High School.

I played football at Vestavia, but a back injury caused me some problems. I didn't get to go on and play at Livingston as I had hoped to do. I ended up at UAB where I majored in biology and minored in chemistry.

I was still trying to decide what I wanted to do as a career when a friend suggested I look into health care administration. I liked both science and business and it seemed like a good fit. UAB has a great program; it's one of the top ten in the nation.

I also got my master's in HCA and a master's in business administration at UAB.

I worked in Kentucky for Baptist Health for several years, then moved to Community Health Systems (owners of L.V. Stabler Memorial Hospital).

This is my third CEO position - we were in Eufaula and in Bennettsville, S.C. before coming to Greenville.

I am glad to be back home in Alabama.

I'm married; Paras and I have one child, a daughter named Rani who will turn three in April. Paras is part of the first generation of her Indian family to grow up here.

Right now they are back in India for a wedding, so I am &#8220batching” it [laughs].

Q: You're a newcomer to our area. What are some of the initial impressions Greenville has made on you?

A: I like Greenville. The people here are nice, cordial; they make you feel welcome. It's more typically &#8220Alabama,” like what I grew up with. It's a pretty city, and I am sure it will only get prettier as spring progresses. We have everything we need here to be happy.

Q: What are some of your biggest challenges as the CEO of the hospital?

A: Health care is a strange business. It's different in that the consumers don't directly pay their bills. We end up having to deal with third party insurances.

It's a challenge on many different levels. You are dealing with huge bureaucracies, lots of paperwork - working with all of them can be difficult.

Another challenge is providing what the community needs in terms of healthcare. Finding the right mix of physicians and services for the community is important.

With a small-town hospital, we obviously can't be all things to all people, but we have to do our best to meet the needs we can meet.

Q: So far, what's the best thing about your job?

A: It would have to be the people here. We have lots of great physicians and medical staff; they are great to work with. And the people of the community, as I said. They have made me feel welcome. I love how hospitable people have been.

Q: In your free time, what kinds of things do you enjoy?

Getting back to the country, spending time with my family. I like to jog and I am trying to get back into playing golf. Between the country club and Cambrian Ridge, I think the bases are covered there.