As President of the medical staff and as chief executive officer of St.
Luke's Wood River Medical Center, we feel compelled to share our thoughts regarding the
new hospital and the quality of hospital core in our community.
It is no secret that some significant issues with our health care delivery
system and our aging hospitals needed to be addressed. Physicians and others in this
community have long desired a new medical center, which is why we invited St. Luke's here.
Thanks to area donors, St. Luke's and the hard work of many others, that desire will be
fulfilled on Nov. 19.
While it is true that Wood River Medical Center has had difficulty
addressing some issues in the past due to various factors, including a culture that did
not fully embrace teamwork, these issues are being addressed by St. Luke's Wood River
Medical Center. However, solutions to all issues cannot occur immediately and, as with any
significant, positive change, will take time.
Sound hospital management occurs when the board, management and medical
staff work cooperatively to identify quality concerns and develop effective solutions.
This cooperative spirit is deeply imbedded in St. Luke's and its medical staff, where it
has been practiced for decades. We believe it is how we will, and must, function here. As
leaders of the hospital and medical staff, we believe that St. Luke's ownership starting
Nov. 19 will mark the dawn of a new, and better, era of health care in our community. We
believe that this era will be driven by a team of cooperative and quality
improvement-oriented management, board and medical staff.
Unfortunately, some people like to criticize, find fault, and offer no
suggestions for solving problems. Others, however, choose to work together to find a
better way to accomplish mutual goals. And we're committed to ensuring that the team of
St. Luke's Medical Center will be the latter.
Change can be difficult. Some people may choose not to work in this new
team-oriented environment. Some may leave, and those unable or unwilling to support this
philosophy will not be asked to be a part of St. Luke's Wood River Medical Center. Nearly
every Wood River Medical Center staff member who applied has been hired by the new
hospital. This is because we are blessed with well-trained, hard working employees who
truly care about the patients and are eager to implement improvements.
We strongly believe that the vast majority of the people in this community
are as enthusiastic about the new hospital as we are. On Nov. 19, we will truly become a
part of St. Luke's and its century-old philosophy of operating a quality hospital in
concert with physicians, hospital staff and the community.
We invite everyone to tour the new hospital on Nov. 11. You will
immediately notice the attention paid to patient privacy, updated technology and the
overall welcoming environment. The difference is quite dramatic. And in the months and
years ahead, we know you will notice how St. Luke’s Wood River Medical Center
carefully and effectively continues to address the needs of our community.
