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Doctor's Day: Dr. Rod D. McKinlay

Doctor's Day: Dr. Rod D. McKinlayFrom first fascination to first medical staff president in a pandemic.

March 30, 2022
Dr. Rod D. McKinlay.

With a sharpened crayon in hand, young Rod carefully shaded in his new human anatomy coloring book – a gift he requested and received when he was about seven years old. Did he realize then that this childhood obsession foreshadowed an impactful healthcare career?

“Since I was a kid, I’ve been fascinated with the human body. It’s such a miracle, how our bodies work,” said Dr. Rod D. McKinlay, a now celebrated general surgeon and bariatric surgery specialist who treats patients at St. Mark’s Hospital – Utah’s first hospital and the centerpiece of MountainStar Healthcare – part of the Mountain Division of HCA Healthcare.

Developing a humanistic approach to medicine

Although his fascination was revealed at an early age, Dr. McKinlay’s pathway to the medical field did not follow a conventional trajectory. His education began with a bachelor’s degree in humanities with an emphasis in English literature at Brigham Young University after serving a two-year church mission in Puerto Rico. Both experiences proved foundational to Dr. McKinlay’s style as a physician and leader.

“That background was key to my life education,” Dr. McKinlay said. “It taught me to view the humanistic side of things. It also helped me understand different people from various cultures and backgrounds and developed my ability to see and listen to struggles from all sides.” 

Dr. McKinlay went on to complete medical school at the University of Utah before a five-year residency at the University of Arizona. From there, Dr. McKinlay focused on minimally-invasive abdominal surgeries during a fellowship that began at the University of Kentucky and finished at the University of Maryland. 

“Though my education and training meant a long, arduous road, I loved the journey,” Dr. McKinlay said. 

Discovering his place and specialty procedure

Once ready to settle into a career, Dr. McKinlay joined Rocky Mountain Associated Physicians – a practice he has dedicated himself to the past 18 years. 

“I’ve loved it here ever since I joined,” Dr. McKinlay said. “There’s a great comradery amongst physicians and administrators within the practice and at St. Mark’s Hospital.”

As a general surgeon with a focus on minimally-invasive abdominal procedures, Dr. McKinlay didn’t set out to become a bariatric specialist. In fact, bariatric procedures were novel at the beginning of his career. Yet as Dr. McKinlay learned more about the concept and its life-changing results, he felt drawn to the specialty. 

“Many people, despite their best dieting and weight loss efforts, live restricted professional, physical and family lives due to their weight. I’ve seen how, in addition to weight management, bariatric surgery can improve, if not eliminate, diabetes, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, acid reflux and other issues for patients,” Dr. McKinlay said. “Plus, bariatric surgeries allow me to perform advanced surgery and make a meaningful, long-lasting impact on someone’s life.” 

For example, Dr. McKinlay remembers a weight loss surgery patient who had never dreamed of running a single mile before surgery, but went on to complete the St. George Marathon in 2009 – and Dr. McKinlay ran the race, as well. 

Another patient felt motivated to pursue weight loss surgery so he could be more involved in his children’s lives, particularly their sporting events. Before surgery, he couldn’t comfortably attend the games; a year after surgery, and 100 pounds lighter, the father ran the sidelines, participating as a referee. 

“Seeing what people can accomplish is highly rewarding,” Dr. McKinlay said. “For me, it’s pure joy to see people have meaningful changes in their life for the better.” 

Upgrading the level of care: Advancing St. Mark’s Hospital trauma services

About a decade ago – recognizing Dr. McKinlay as a capable, compassionate surgeon with tremendous leadership skills – Steve Bateman, St. Mark’s Hospital’s CEO at the time, approached Dr. McKinlay about advancing the hospital’s trauma services to a higher status. While he initially felt unsure if community needs justified the advancement, Dr. McKinlay determined the progression would benefit the hospital and community, and he agreed to spearhead the efforts. 

“Without Dr. McKinlay, St. Mark’s would not have achieved its Level III trauma service designation, nor would its current Level II trauma service status have been achieved as rapidly and smoothly as it did,” Steve Bateman said. 

Dr. McKinlay arranged 24/7 on-call arrangements for a Level II trauma surgeon, secured participation of other qualified and key physicians, and led by example by participating as an on-call trauma surgeon himself. 

“He was absolutely instrumental … Without Dr. McKinlay’s reputation for excellence, fairness, seeing the big picture and leadership skills – especially among his physician colleagues – the Level II trauma center at St. Mark’s would not likely have been achieved without substantially more time and effort,” Bateman added. 

Leading with a listening ear

Dr. McKinlay’s leadership skills also made a tremendous impact while serving as medical staff president at St. Mark’s Hospital throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. During a physically, mentally and emotionally demanding time in healthcare, Dr. McKinlay focused on providing support and maintaining open lines of communication. 

“As a medical staff president, you’re called to work through difficult scenarios because conflicts inevitably arise. I think if you listen to both sides of the story and give people benefit of the doubt, you can usually come to a mutually agreeable solution. More often than not, the key is stepping back to listen,” Dr. McKinlay said. 

McKinlay served as medical staff president from January 2020 through December 2021. 

When stepping back to look at the career, compassion and commitment of Dr. McKinlay, it is clear to see that he is a phenomenal physician! 

“During my 35-year career as a hospital administrator, I never worked with a physician better in all respects (i.e., clinical skills, insistence on excellence, affability, and overall leadership skills) than Dr. McKinlay,” Bateman said.

Published:
March 30, 2022
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COVID-19