Desert View Hospital has become a cornerstone of healthcare and community service in Pahrump, thanks to the visionary leadership of CEO Susan Davila. With a career built on determination, adaptability, and a commitment to excellence, Susan has guided the hospital to meet the unique challenges of serving a rural population. Her efforts have extended beyond hospital walls, weaving Desert View Hospital into the fabric of the community through partnerships, outreach, and innovative programs.
Susan’s role as CEO requires a multifaceted approach. “In a small hospital like ours, you have to wear many hats,” she explained. “It’s about understanding each department, from clinical operations to financial management, while building strong relationships with practitioners, staff, and the community.” Ryan Muccio, Marketing and Outreach Coordinator for the hospital emphasized Susan’s hands-on approach, describing how she empowers her team. “She always says, ‘You’re the CEO of your department,’” Ryan shared. “That mindset fosters accountability and pride in our staff.”Desert View Hospital is home to a diverse team of physicians, mid-level practitioners, nurse anesthetists, and more. Susan’s background in finance allows her to balance the delicate intersection of patient care and financial sustainability. “If we don’t manage the business side well, we can’t pay our nurses or staff, and that affects the quality of care,” she said.
Susan’s connection to rural communities runs deep. Growing up in the small town of Malta, Montana, she was immersed in the realities of rural living from a young age. Pahrump, the largest community she has ever lived in, presents unique challenges and opportunities that align with her expertise. “It’s crucial to integrate into the community,” she noted. “Our population is predominantly senior citizens, with over 58% aged 55 and older. Understanding these demographics helps us tailor our services to meet their needs.”
Her commitment to community involvement extends far beyond the hospital walls. Susan serves as President of the board for Nevada Outreach, an organization providing resources such as forensic interviews for children and support for victims of domestic violence. She is also the secretary of the ACORN Board, an organization focused on advocacy and community resources.
Susan’s journey to becoming CEO is as inspiring as it is unconventional. Growing up, she helped her parents run two small businesses—a flying service and a family-owned motel. “Those experiences taught me the value of hard work and gave me a strong foundation in business,” she said. Despite not pursuing higher education initially, Susan built a successful career in hospital finance and administration. From managing accounting systems in Montana and Minnesota hospitals to installing their first electronic financial records, her expertise grew steadily. Her work eventually brought her to Pahrump in 2007, where she joined, and helped to open, Desert View Hospital as Chief Financial Officer.
Shortly after the hospital opened, Susan transitioned into the role of interim CEO. Recognizing the need for formal education to complement her experience, she returned to school, earning her associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees while continuing her leadership role. Susan’s blend of financial expertise and a deep understanding of hospital operations has made her a unique and effective leader. “I let the clinical experts guide me, but my financial background helps me make decisions that support both patient care and the sustainability of the hospital,” she said.
Under Susan’s leadership, Desert View Hospital has forged strong partnerships with local organizations. The hospital collaborates closely with the fire department, EMS, Mercy Air, and the sheriff’s office to ensure the community’s safety and well-being. Susan also highlighted initiatives like food drives and back-to-school events and partnerships with Valley Electric Association, NyeCC, Nevada Outreach and others, emphasizing the importance of teamwork. “It takes a team to take care of our community,” she said. “We can’t do it alone.”
One initiative that stands out is the Nurse Apprentice Program (NAP), developed through a grant from the Nevada Rural Hospital Partners (NRHP). The program allows nursing students to gain hands-on experience at Desert View Hospital while their salaries are covered through state funding. “We’ve hired 62 participants and retained 24 as permanent nurses,” Susan shared proudly. “It’s a win-win for the community and our hospital.” Ryan added that Desert View Hospital has hosted nursing students from every school in Nevada and even a few from Arizona, showcasing its impact on the region.
Desert View Hospital also relies on regular community health assessments to guide its services. These assessments, conducted every five years, provide valuable feedback from residents about the hospital’s strengths and areas for improvement. “We want to hear from the community,” Susan said. “Positive or negative, feedback helps us grow and address concerns. We can’t fix what we don’t know about.”
One challenge the hospital faces is addressing the shortage of medical specialists and resources in rural areas. Despite these limitations, Desert View Hospital excels at stabilizing critical patients and providing essential services like imaging, mammography, wound care, and physical therapy. Plans are underway to expand the emergency room and bring the MRI machine indoors to improve efficiency. “We’ve outgrown our emergency room, and as the community grows, we need to adapt,” Susan said. “Our infrastructure was built with expansion in mind, and we’re working to make that a reality.”
Looking ahead, Susan envisions Desert View Hospital becoming a hub for advanced outpatient services while maintaining its commitment to personalized care. She is particularly excited about the possibility of introducing robotic surgical equipment to the hospital. “We have a wonderful surgical department that’s underutilized. Robotic equipment would allow us to expand our capabilities and better serve our community,” she said.
Susan emphasized the importance of community support in achieving these goals. “We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished, but we can’t do it without the community’s trust and support. We’ve saved countless lives, and we’re committed to continuing that work,” she said. “Healthcare can be frustrating, but our team is dedicated to delivering exceptional care every time.”
Desert View Hospital’s success is a testament to Susan’s leadership, her team’s dedication, and the strong partnerships they’ve built within the community. Together, they are ensuring that Pahrump residents have access to high-quality healthcare close to home, proving that a rural hospital can be both innovative and deeply connected to the people it serves.
