Most of us will agree that we have experienced a cold winter and at times have felt despair in the challenges before us. There are many factors triggering this feeling: reduction in reimbursements and patient volume; demands to improve quality and HCAHPS scores; and the ever-increasing demands of the Affordable Care Act mandates of IT ... plus concerns about transparency, population health, accountable care organizations, value based performance, the implementation of ICD-10, and just the day-to-day realities of dealing with an ever-demanding public. All of these things have at times caused us to feel our “winter of despair.”

It is now spring, and like most of us, I am glad that the winter season is behind us. As we face the spring, I ask that we perceive a spring of hope as we work together during these difficult times in the evolution of healthcare. As we face the changing seasons, we need to realize that we are not on this journey alone. Every hospital and healthcare provider in our nation is facing the same daunting reality. We must stay strong and feel a sense of hope. We will work through these challenges and become stronger by doing so.

There are many reasons to have the spirit of the “spring of hope.” We have a very dedicated and loyal staff. Our hospital Board is committed to our humble and noble mission. They have empathy in knowing and appreciating the services we provide to our community. We must never take ourselves for granted. We are a group of caring and hardworking people with the gift of passion in serving others.

In this spring of hope, our Board and management team, along with the Chief of Staff, are in the pursuit of developing the most viable option for a strategic partner. Over the coming months, the Board strategic committee will be evaluating the best course to take in our journey that will ensure our sustainability for the years to come. We will be assessing our fundamental values and what we all hold dear as the fabric of our culture and mission. The time frame for a decision for the best path to take will be by the end of this year. Everyone will be kept informed as information evolves about this progress.

As we face the spring, let us all be grateful for each other and all that we do as a committed team in serving others. I am very hopeful of our future. We will prevail during these times of uncertainty, as we did in our winter of despair. Now let’s all work together in the spring of hope.

Sincerely,

Ed Piper, Ph.D.

Former President & Chief Executive Officer, 2000-2016