Patrick Forrest is a visionary leader in people operations, specializing in talent acquisition, workforce strategy, and HR initiatives that drive business success and organizational growth. As the Vice President of People Operations at Main Street Rural Health, a company under the Russell Street Ventures (RSV) umbrella, Patrick plays a critical role in overseeing all aspects of people operations, including talent acquisition, human resources, and culture programs. His leadership ensures that the company attracts, develops, and retains top talent while fostering a high-performance, mission-driven work environment.
With over 17 years of experience in talent acquisition and corporate recruiting, Patrick has built a career dedicated to optimizing workforce strategies and aligning them with business objectives. He began his journey at Aerotek, gaining expertise in recruitment across multiple industries before moving to Celerity (now Randstad Digital), where he specialized in technical recruiting. These early experiences provided him with a strong foundation in talent sourcing, executive search, and workforce planning.
Patrick transitioned into the healthcare sector with Fresenius Medical Care North America, a global leader in renal care, where he spent over six years in progressively senior roles. As Senior Manager of Talent Acquisition, he led large-scale recruitment initiatives, optimized hiring processes, and built high-performing teams to meet the evolving needs of the organization. His ability to implement data-driven hiring strategies and improve recruitment efficiency made a lasting impact on the company’s workforce planning efforts.
In 2021, Patrick joined RSV as Director of Talent Acquisition, refining the company’s recruitment approach before being promoted to Vice President of People Operations at Main Street Rural Health. In this role, he oversees all facets of people operations, integrating talent acquisition with broader HR functions such as employee engagement, culture programs, leadership development, and compliance. Patrick spearheads strategic hiring initiatives, enhances workplace policies, and ensures that HR frameworks support organizational effectiveness and business growth. His leadership fosters a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement, ensuring that Main Street Rural Health attracts and retains a diverse and high-performing workforce aligned with its mission.
A strategic thinker and problem solver, Patrick has developed and implemented data-driven workforce strategies that enhance hiring transparency, performance tracking, and employee engagement. His expertise in applicant tracking systems, talent sourcing, and workforce analytics enables his team to meet hiring goals efficiently while maintaining a high standard of candidate quality. His belief in the power of people to drive organizational success fuels his passion for talent acquisition and HR leadership.
Beyond his operational expertise, Patrick is a mentor and coach to recruiters, hiring managers, and business leaders. He provides guidance on candidate assessment, interview techniques, and hiring best practices, ensuring that organizations make informed decisions that contribute to long-term workforce success. His commitment to knowledge-sharing and professional development strengthens teams and promotes industry-leading recruitment strategies.
Patrick’s leadership extends beyond talent acquisition—he is deeply invested in healthcare innovation and workforce transformation. His work at Main Street Rural Health is not just about hiring talent but about creating HR and culture programs that enhance employee experiences and improve patient care. By partnering with executives, investors, and strategic stakeholders, he ensures that people operations align with the larger vision of scaling healthcare organizations that make a meaningful impact.
Looking ahead, Patrick remains focused on leveraging technology, refining hiring and HR processes, and mentoring the next generation of HR and talent leaders. His vision is to continuously improve the people operations landscape in healthcare, ensuring that organizations have the right strategies in place to attract and retain the best talent.
Character:
Patrick Forrest is a dedicated and mission-driven leader who is committed to fostering high-performing teams and creating a positive, people-first workplace culture. His integrity, work ethic, and leadership drive meaningful organizational change.
Knowledge:
With over 17 years of experience in staffing, talent acquisition, and people operations, Patrick has developed deep expertise in workforce strategy, HR leadership, and executive search. His industry knowledge enables him to implement effective people strategies that support business objectives.
Strategic:
Patrick takes a data-driven and results-oriented approach to people operations, ensuring that hiring, HR, and culture programs are efficient, scalable, and aligned with business goals. His ability to integrate workforce planning with long-term strategy makes him a key driver of company success.
Communication:
As a skilled communicator, Patrick effectively collaborates with executives, HR teams, and employees to develop seamless people strategies. His ability to convey complex ideas with clarity ensures transparency, efficiency, and alignment across all areas of people operations.
