Message from the President

Another fiscal year has come to a close. Lakeland’s 2017 fiscal year ended on September 30 and fiscal year 2018 began October 1.

Of course, it will take a few more weeks to close the books and collect all the outcomes data. But there are a number of conclusions that are safe to make.

Together, we had a great year!

We have improved most every quality measure that matters. This is evidenced by the fact that our overall performance is not just better than average – it’s better than most in our region, and better than most across the country.

That fact came into sharp focus this year as Lakeland was recognized as a top 15 health system. Our health system, and our community, has each of you to thank for that outcome. Your dedication and commitment to providing exceptional care helped to achieve those results.

You should be very proud.

But it doesn’t end there. Our work with Affirmant Health Partners has created opportunities to learn from others and share with others so they can learn from us. We have providers and nurses, as well as quality, IT, and communications experts at Lakeland who are now connected with colleagues from across the state and working to align their collective efforts to improve the health and health care of the communities we serve.

At the same time, we have made significant strides in understanding and addressing, not only the health care needs, but the health status of those living throughout Michiana. That commitment has brought new people, new talent, new tools, and new collaborative relationships to Lakeland that will be leveraged to improve health outcomes of those we serve.

We’ve also added a new focus to the Triple Aim: “better health, better health care, and lower cost.” This philosophy has been replaced with the Quadruple Aim – adding a “better place to work.” This new goal places more emphasis and more resources on taking great care of each other. It shifts our focus on improving work experience, lowering burnout, improving resilience and engagement, and ensuring that we are inclusive and diverse.   

Despite increasing pressure from both commercial and government funded insurers we also had a pretty good financial year. As you know, we set a target of three and one-half cents for each dollar of net revenue to invest back into our equipment and facilities. We were able to achieve that goal this year.

And, by the way, we have a building project going on the Lakeland Medical Center, St. Joseph campus. It is the biggest facility addition in Lakeland’s history and it should help us continue to provide exceptional care and recruit an exceptional team as we care for our patients now and into the next generation. The hole has been dug, the foundation piles are mostly in place, concrete walls are being poured, and soon steel girders will begin to define the size and shape of the new building.

And just like that we’re on to a new fiscal year. With new strategies and goals in sight, new lives to save, and more health to improve. Thank you for being part of a great team that makes this all possible.