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10/28/2009
In Proverbs 29:8, Solomon tells us that “He who does not have a vision will perish.” Earlier this year, Ephraim McDowell Health adopted its vision for the future and shared it with the communities served by the healthcare system. The concept is what the healthcare system now refers to as VISION2020, a simple but compelling strategy for the next 10 years.
“As we enter the second decade of the 21st century, it is essential for us to have a vision of the future that guides us on our journey toward excellence,” said Clark Taylor, chief executive officer of Ephraim McDowell Health. “So, as the result of a task force of hospital administrative leaders, board members and physicians and community meetings where we gathered input from more than 500 stakeholders, we have developed VISION2020, which is our strategic plan for the future.”
VISION2020 was chosen as the name for the strategic plan because 20/20 is considered “perfect” vision, and that’s what Ephraim McDowell Health strives for within its organization, Taylor noted. Plus, the double meaning pointing to the year 2020 implies that the strategy is far reaching.
Over the course of the next 10 years, Ephraim McDowell Health’s strategy will be “To Serve and Grow”, affording healthcare excellence for the communities it serves in Boyle, Casey, Garrard, Lincoln, Mercer and Washington counties.
The four imperatives that will guide Ephraim McDowell Health in its strategic plan are:
Alignment with physicians. Ephraim McDowell Health is committed to adding more and different specialists to the medical staff so that more diverse care is available close to home. The healthcare system also wants to be partners with physicians to ensure efficient care, optimal patient outcomes and the creation of a healing environment.
Grow and maintain market share. Ephraim McDowell Health plans to meet this imperative by aligning with rural critical access hospitals, employing more primary and specialty care physicians, gaining national recognition through accreditation or certification of Centers of Excellence, developing immediate care services throughout its service area and remaining competitive from a pricing standpoint.
Leverage information technology. Ephraim McDowell Health strives to provide timely and transparent healthcare information to its communities. It also will focus on providing physician office support services in the areas of electronic medical records, billing, collection, coding, human resources, pricing, contracting and more. The healthcare system is committed to adapting to new technologies in support of improved communication and the delivery of healthcare services.
Capitalize on the organization’s excellence. Ephraim McDowell Health wants to create an environment where people can experience a quality of care difference. The healthcare system is striving to achieve “Center of Excellence” designations through The Joint Commission and accrediting bodies in orthopedics, spine, cardiac, trauma and more.
“Our strategic plan is our navigation system that will guide us over the course of the next 10 years,” Taylor noted. “We recognize that if we don’t grow, we will die. Our strategic plan is directing our future growth so that we can serve our communities through the best quality and lowest cost of services.”
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