Because someone believed

From speech-language pathologist to CEO

Isensed Jess Franke was special when I called to schedule an interview, and Heather Rushton, admission manager, told me she could not wait to read my story. Intrigued, I asked why. Rushton rattled off how Franke cares for employees, has an open-door policy and makes work a place you want to be.

Five years ago, if you told Franke, 43, she would be CEO of a hospital in Fargo, North Dakota, she would have laughed.

Franke was flourishing as a speech-language pathologist (SLP) when her supervisor identified Franke’s leadership potential and she was advanced to a therapy director position.

“Sometimes we have an idea in our head of what our career path will look like,” Franke says. “That can change. Other people might identify something in you, and it’s important to remain open-minded.”

Career evolution

As a teenager in Jamestown, North Dakota, Franke worked at the Anne Carlsen Center. Inspired by the center’s SLPs, she earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in speech pathology from Minnesota State University Moorhead. For the next 15 years, Franke worked in longterm care and at an assisted living facility in the Fargo-Moorhead area, where she exuded passion for neurological disorders.

“Serving others brings joy and optimism, which leads to achieving goals,” Franke says.

In 2019, Franke joined Fargo’s brand-new, 42-private bed rehabilitation hospital located at 4671 38th South. There, patients receive treatment for diagnoses, such as brain and spinal cord injuries, amputation, fractures, stroke, and joint replacement, among others.

And her career evolved.

Within months, Franke’s supervisor recognized her passion and team-building ability. And he encouraged her to consider a director position, focused on business development, marketing and business strategy.

One year later, the hospital was acquired by Post Acute Medical, LLC, (PAM) and her position transitioned to director of strategic initiatives. Once again, Franke’s leadership stood out, and PAM Health’s division president offered to be her mentor.

Nine months later, Franke was named CEO.

Catalyst for change

When Franke became CEO, the hospital was in need of expansion, community involvement and program development.

“Jess Franke was the catalyst for change that we needed to push our facility forward,” says PAM Fargo Chief Medical Officer Aaron Robertson, M.D. “She was instrumental in improving every aspect of our system from financial management to patient care quality and patient experience. We would not be where we are today without her strong leadership.”

As CEO, Franke seeks transparency, actively listens and talks through decisions, so all staff have the same vision. She enthusiastically leads with integrity and encourages student mentorship and teaching opportunities. And Franke lets her team know that she believes in them.

Patients undergo three hours of intense therapy daily at PAM Health Fargo, North Dakota’s only state-of-the-art freestanding rehabilitation hospital. Franke encourages staff to be mindful of how their behavior influences patients and coworkers. In times of stress, she reminds them to act like a duck: cool, calm and collected on the surface.

PAMily and family

Franke has fostered a “PAMily” environment, where employees are a family and have fun at work. She promotes collaboration and a platform for ideas. A place where people want to work. And stay.

In addition to her work family, Franke’s own family consists of her husband, Aaron, and their four children. To recharge and find balance, she intentionally carves out time with her family, likes to travel and stay active. On summer weekends, the family leaves their Fargo home to head for the lake.

Because someone believed in her, Franke is always ready to help others see possibilities not yet considered.