Christopher West began his career in the military 15 years ago with the U.S. Army at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, where he deployed twice for 12-month tours in Iraq to provide mental health services to those in combat. “Since then, I have had the opportunity to work in many diverse and complex settings,” West said. “I have always had a passion for helping others, and working in behavioral health has allowed me an avenue to do that.”
West is currently the regional vice president of behavioral health services at HCA Healthcare, serving five Western states, including Nevada. “In my role, I get to support some of the most amazing caregivers in the world, and our teams make a lifelong impact on those they treat,” West said.
While West has dedicated his career to helping others, he considers his work in the aftermath of October 1 as his proudest professional achievement. “I was a hospital CEO at the time, and we took on the mission of being on the Strip within hours of the shooting to provide counseling and psychological first-aid to those impacted,” West said. “Our team has built a culture dedicated to service, commitment and resiliency that prepared us to be successful in that mission.”
With support from the community, West and his team continued to provide care on-site for weeks following the shooting. “I got to witness our community lift itself up, care for its own and commit to never letting our neighbors suffer alone.”
An exceedingly kind leader, West continually stresses and impresses the power of teamwork, professionally and personally. Married for 14 years and a father to two daughters, West counts his family as his greatest support system. “I am looking forward to watching my girls get older and seeing how they are going to change the world,” West said.