Alison Murray named NIHD Chief Human Resources Officer

Alison Murray named NIHD Chief Human Resources Officer

Northern Inyo Healthcare District (NIHD) announces the promotion of longtime Human Resources leader Alison Murray to Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) effective June 5.

A 20-year District veteran, Murray’s story is one based on community loyalty, the ability to recognize opportunities from within, and belief in the talents of those around her.

“I am thrilled to have this opportunity to partner with the Executive Team and to oversee the strategies that support the extraordinary workforce at NIHD,” Murray says. “We are committed to providing exceptional clinical care and compassionate service to the community we serve. With a firm belief that talent is the foundation of the District’s success, my focus will be to build a talent strategy that will provide our workforce with the ultimate employee experience and to remain the employer of choice within the Eastern Sierra.”

As CHRO, Murray will be responsible for developing and executing human resource strategy supporting the District’s overall business plan and strategic direction, specifically in succession planning, talent management, change management, organizational and performance management, training and development, and compensation.

Murray joined NIHD in 2003 as a medical transcriptionist. With the arrival of the Affordable Care Act, she saw the healthcare landscape change for transcriptionists. “I started looking at the opportunities available within,” Murray explains. “At the same time, my son – a junior in high school – was taking tests to see what career path was best for him. I took that same test, and the results showed I had an aptitude for Human Resources Management or Social Work.”

Human Resources really hit the mark for Murray. “Being able to advocate for others and help others achieve their goals really spoke to me,” she says. “I want to help people be the best they can be at work and give them a safe environment to excel in.”

Returning to school while continuing her transcriptionist duties, Murray earned her Bachelor of Arts and Master’s in Business Administration with the highest honors. Both degrees hold a concentration in Human Resources Management. Murray also earned certification through the Society of Human Resource Management, recognized and valued as the premier human resources certification.

Just months before earning her MBA, a NIHD HR position opened up, and she got the job. Murray quickly rose the ranks, most recently serving as HR Director, overseeing a team of six.

“Being the advocate for the employee at the Executive Team table is what I am most excited about with this position,” Murray says. “It is what drew me to Human Resources to begin with. My goal is to help build a positive employee culture where people are growing, are happy to be here and feel safe and secure in their job roles. We have some work to do to get there, but I will show the team they can trust me and that I have their backs.”

NIHD’s Interim Chief Executive Officer Stephen DelRossi credits Murray’s deep understanding of the District and insights into industry best practices as vital to supporting senior leadership and its Turn-Around Group (TAG) as it “right-sizes” the District during the current financially challenging times. DelRossi notes that right-sizing efforts include putting the correct people in the right positions for better service, operations, and communications, a role key to Murray’s knowledge and training. In addition, NIHD leadership is looking at ways to operate more efficiently, offer appropriate services for the area, and move services to improve reimbursements.

In a message earlier this week to NIHD staff, DelRossi stressed his need for sage, cogent advice. “It is imperative that I have the right people offering advice respectfully and passionately so that I have a complete picture of all foreseeable issues,” he wrote. “Our greatest resource is you – everything in this hospital revolves around you – this is why organizations are promoting or hiring CHROs. You are too important to not have executive-level representation.”

Murray and her husband, Clay, the Superintendent of Operations at Mammoth Community Water District, live in Bishop. The couple have a son and daughter, both working in healthcare.

News Staff