Leadership Team

Chief Executive Officer

Richard has been CEO of Watertown Regional Medical Center for over five years and has worked in the healthcare industry for over 15 years. He oversees the strategic, operational and clinical functions of WRMC and helps the hospital achieve it's mission of ‘Making Communities Healthier’. Richard is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and received his undergrad degree from BYU and his MBA in Healthcare Administration from Idaho State University. He enjoys trying new foods with his wife and spends his free time with his kids. Richard is an avid Packers and Bucks fan.

Chief Nursing Officer

Patty has a unique background spanning over 30 years in healthcare including 17 years in nursing leadership, hospital operations, and performance improvement. She received her MBA in 2008 from Alverno College and served in a variety of roles across different hospitals before becoming CNO at Watertown Regional Medical Center. She received her Lean Certification from the Virginia Mason Institute in Seattle, Washington.

Sham Firdausi serves as the Chief Financial Officer of Watertown Regional Medical Center, with over 13 years of expertise in the strategic financial management of multi-hospital health systems and health plans. Prior to joining Watertown, Sham led the FP&A and Strategy function at one of the largest health plans in the nation for Centene Corporation. His distinguished career also includes service in the US Marine Corps and US Army, where he served overseas.

Driven by a passion for helping others, Sham is dedicated to advancing healthcare equity and innovation. He volunteers his time with nonprofits and startups focused on improving access for marginalized and rural communities and serves on the board of a behavioral health nonprofit in the Chicago area.

Sham holds an MBA in Accounting from DePaul University, an MSc in Health Technology Leadership from Brown University, and is currently completing his Executive MPH in Health Informatics at Yale University. In his spare time, he enjoys spending quality time with his wife, his two dogs, and his cat.

Executive Director, Quality and Case Management/Chief Patient Safety Officer

Suzie has enjoyed over 35 years in healthcare with 20 years of progressive healthcare leadership including nearly 10 years in executive operational, quality and safety roles.  Suzie is a registered nurse with her MS degree in organizational leadership and quality from Marian University.  She is certified in healthcare quality (CPHQ), patient safety (CPPS), Lean process improvement (green belt), is a TeamSTEPPS master trainer and is certified in change management. 

Executive Director of Human Resources

Ryan Lessner, who was born and raised in Watertown, offers an intimate knowledge of the community, along with over 20 years of human resources experience. His human resources experience includes 10 years as the Director of Human Resources for West Bend Mutual Insurance Company. He is a versatile leader with a background in recruitment, payroll, benefits, corporate training, leadership development, and succession planning. Since moving back to Watertown with his family in 2016, he has been heavily involved in the community, including serving as the assistant varsity baseball coach from 2017 to 2020 and coaching his kid's baseball and softball teams.