Caleb Poore: Transforming Healthcare Leadership
Earning his Master’s in Healthcare Administration (MHA) from Bellevue University in 2017 was a milestone that propelled Caleb Poore into some of the most impactful years of his career.
Immediately after receiving his degree, Poore stepped into the role of multi-site Director at Burgess Health Center in Onawa, Iowa, where he reversed a significant operating loss across five rural clinics in just 22 months. The following year, he became CFO at Callaway District Hospital in Callaway, Nebraska, increasing profit margins by 65% while leading through COVID, overseeing a multi-million-dollar renovation, and developing new policies.
In 2023, life took Poore to Albion, Nebraska, where he became President and CEO of Boone County Health Center. Beyond his healthcare administrator roles, he has been an active community leader, raising funds for Callaway Pacific Place and serving on boards such as the Nebraska Hospital Association.
“It’s been a busy, fulfilling ride, taking me across Nebraska and into roles where I can shape healthcare for the better,” Poore says. “Every step has built on the last, pushing me to think bigger. I’m grateful for where it’s led me and eager for what’s next.”
What does he credit for his success? His MHA from Bellevue University.
“It’s been a game-changer, giving me the strategic edge to advance my career and solve tough challenges at Boone County Health Center,” Poore says. “It taught me how to analyze financial systems, which helped me cut over $1 million in costs without disrupting workflows and turn a $1.3 million loss into a $900,000 gain.”
The focus of the MHA on quality improvement enabled him to lead the facility’s ACO to more than $1 million in Medicare savings and earn national recognition, including an NRHA Top 20 award. Poore also gained skills in operations and policy, which in turn helped him manage major renovations and navigate crises like the Change Healthcare cyberattack without financial losses.
“In rural healthcare, where resources are limited, the MHA’s emphasis on strategic planning lets me launch new service lines — like outpatient psychiatry — while maintaining a 98% staff retention rate,” Poore shares. “It’s given me a big-picture mindset to align vision, finance, and care, pushing our organization forward. Honestly, it’s the backbone of my ability to lead at this level. It also helps me stay calm in chaos, like during COVID policy shifts.”
Poore first chose Bellevue University for his Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration because of its flexible, practical approach to healthcare education. As a physical therapist assistant, he sought a healthcare program that would build on his hands-on experience while preparing him for leadership roles.
“Bellevue’s reputation for supporting working professionals stood out, especially since I needed a schedule that fit my busy life,” he says. “The bachelor’s degree gave me a solid foundation, and I appreciated how the curriculum focused on real-world applications, like financial management and operations — skills I later used at Callaway and Boone County.”
Bellevue’s emphasis on leadership also resonated with Poore’s ambition to make a greater impact in healthcare.
After earning his bachelor’s degree, he realized how much more he could accomplish with advanced knowledge, particularly in rural settings where resources are tight. He knew a master’s in healthcare administration would be key.
“The MHA equipped me with the tools to lead entire organizations, not just departments, which matched my goal of driving systemic change,” he shares. “I was particularly drawn to how it blended theory with practical application, preparing me for roles like CFO and CEO. My experience managing rural clinics at Burgess Health Center showed me the need for a broader perspective, and the MHA provided exactly that.”
Attending Bellevue University online for both his undergraduate and graduate degrees was equally challenging and rewarding. And it allowed Poore to continue growing professionally without pausing his career.
“I was working full-time, first at Aegis Therapies, then Burgess Health Center, so the online format let me study late at night or on weekends around my job,” he shares.
This experience strengthened his time management skills, as he learned to set strict schedules and prioritize tasks. These skills later proved invaluable in roles like CFO.
“The virtual classroom kept me connected with professors and peers through discussions, which I found surprisingly engaging despite the distance,” Poore says. “Balancing it all took discipline, but my drive to advance in healthcare kept me motivated, even with a new family to care for. Looking back, that hustle prepared me for the multitasking I do now as CEO, like navigating the Change Healthcare cyberattack without missing a beat.”
Both in and outside his career, Poore values giving back. He has volunteered extensively, from mentoring kids in Callaway’s Teammates program to chairing boards like the Nebraska Hospital Association District II.
“My journey has been about blending healthcare expertise with a passion for people — whether it’s improving a hospital or inspiring the next generation,” he says. “It’s been a wild ride, and I’m grateful for every chance to make a difference.”
And for Poore, a valuable part of that journey has been his MHA.
“I wouldn’t be where I am without it,” he says.