The interims, the stand-ins and the temps are often the unsung heroes in an organization.

When I was in high school and college I worked in the banquet departments of both the Fort Collins and Denver City Center Marriott hotels. We always had great crews for setting up and smaller events, but when a big banquet came, temporary staff was brought in and they, dropped into the situation, some for the first time, were generally helpful sets of extra hands for the long nights.

I think of the long-term substitute teachers I've been taught by or known in my time covering schools, many showing an incredible aptitude for improvisation and an ability to hit the ground running even if they're dropped into the middle of a subject.

Then, at an even higher level, is the interim head of a department or an entire organization, someone who steps into an often unsettled situation to, at least, keep one hand on the tiller as a permanent solution is found, whether that's them or someone else.

Powell Valley Healthcare recently experienced that and more.

With the arrival of new CEO Todd Sandberg imminent, interim head Sean McCallister departed last week after half a year at the helm, stepping in right after the departure, within about a month, of the former CFO and CEO.

On top of that, the hospital was left struggling with finances, low on reserves and struggling to keep costly departments afloat.

When I met McCallister soon after he was brought in, he said his goal wasn't just to keep the hospital afloat in his time at the helm, but improve the situation.

While some of the remedies have been tough — the loss of the oncology department I know has hit many people hard — financially at least McCallister has left the hospital much better than he found it.

Not only did he allow Billings Clinic and the hospital board the time to find the right permanent CEO — McCallister did not throw his hat in the ring — the work he and his team have done should enable Sandberg to step into a less stressful situation.