Roger Knak, CEO

Roger began his career in healthcare in the pre-hospital setting as a professional firefighter paramedic. At the encouragement of nursing staff he returned to college and obtained his Associate Degree in Nursing from the University of the State of New York in 1990.  Roger served as a flight nurse and transitioned into the hospital setting becoming the Director of Emergency Services in a rural Kansas hospital.  Returning to school Roger received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Resource Management from Friends University in Wichita Kansas, after which he was promoted to Chief Operating Officer of Russell Regional Hospital in Russell Kansas in 1996.  Again returning to school Roger obtained his Master’s in Business Administration from Friends University.  In 2000 Roger took over the role of CEO of Russell Regional Hospital and transitioned it to a Critical Access Hospital with a hospital based nursing home.  He maintained that position until accepting a position as CEO of Fairview Regional Medical Center in Fairview Oklahoma in 2006, a role he continues to fill.  Roger remains active in multiple community organizations and lives in Fairview Oklahoma with his wife.  He has two married children who with their families have also chosen to make Fairview Oklahoma their home.  He was recognized as the Rural Health Leader of the Year in 2017 by the Rural Health Association of Oklahoma.