Message from the President

We did it again. Just this week, it was announced that Spectrum Health Lakeland was named one of the 15 top health systems in the nation by IBM Watson Health™.

The study spotlights the best-performing health systems in the U.S., based on scores from clinical, operational, and patient satisfaction information. This year’s study looked at 337 health systems and 2,961 hospitals to identify the 15 health systems with the highest overall achievement.

It’s a major accomplishment to be named to the list. And it’s not the first time. You might remember that we were also named a 15 top health system in 2017.

So, what does this award mean? Well, it means we have some experience with improving quality, lowering costs, and achieving high patient satisfaction. And it means that we’ve been working very hard to provide the best care to our friends and neighbors throughout Michiana.

In fact, by tracking our outcomes over the years, we can point to some key improvements that our frontline team members have influenced. We’ve kept a close eye on things like 30-day readmits, mortality rates, infections, and surgical complications. And over the past few years, we’ve compared the numbers and watched each of these areas get better and better.

Together, we’ve been on a journey to provide the best possible care, and an experience that’s compassionate, and consistently excellent, to everyone we serve. And I’m so proud to say that this award acknowledges how much we’ve already accomplished.

So, today, I want you to take a moment to reflect on what we’ve accomplished together and how you’ve been a part of it. Then I want you to celebrate it. Congratulate a team member or two. Tell your family and friends. Spread the word that we are the only health system in Michigan and northern Indiana recognized in the top 15 this year.

We can be very proud of this accomplishment. I certainly am. But I’m even more proud to say that I’m a part of the Spectrum Health Lakeland team. Well done!

If you would like to read more of Message from the President, click here