From Gregg’s desk
It’s a new day.
In health care, we are entering an era of major change, innovation and opportunity. There are challenges in our future. However, our focus remains on the path of growth and advancement to meet the health care needs of the people in the communities we serve.
Our progress of recent months is a clear indication of our actions to live out our vision to be “the best.”
On July 1, Skagit Valley Hospital and Skagit Valley Medical Center came together to become an integrated health care delivery system. SVMC is now known as Skagit Regional Clinics, with eight locations across Skagit, north Snohomish and Island counties. While it’s a new name, the organization features the same outstanding providers, locations, staff and service our communities have come to appreciate. As the health care delivery system evolves, having a vital, integrated system puts the organization in a strong position to continue to grow and add services. We also believe this positions us well for changes due to federal health care reform.
Also in July, we welcomed our first 12 medical students from Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences as we become a teaching hospital, dedicated to instructing and encouraging new physicians, with hopes of retaining some of this young talent in our community for the long-term benefit of all. The first dozen students will be joined by 12 more next summer and followed by residents in 2012.
The need for physicians remains high. While we have successfully assisted in recruiting 65 physicians to our community in the past three years, we have a goal to bring in 27 more providers this year.
We continue to advance the level and breadth of services available right here in our communities. Examples include the new spine program with advanced procedures offered by four surgeons. This program is a natural progression for Skagit Valley Hospital as our skilled staff, expanded facility, spacious operating rooms and private patient rooms lend to the addition of this new level of orthopedic services. Our Regional Cancer Care Center now offers stereotactic radiosurgery using precision radiation therapy with the latest equipment and The Breast Institute is providing multidisciplinary care to newly diagnosed breast cancer patients. Skagit Regional Heart & Vascular Institute earned top honors in the state of Washington and top 10 percent in the United States for coronary interventions for 2010. In Surgical Services, the latest in minimally invasive procedures are available along with a wide range of orthopedic services with a high level of expertise in total joint replacements. Skagit Valley and Cascade Valley hospitals are collaborating on a new 40,000-square foot facility in Smokey Point to provide primary and specialty health care services.
The completion of the new hospital in 2007 was not an end point, but the beginning of a regional, integrated health system, opening the door to the future of health care.
We are about providing the highest level of health care services to the people of the region. And, while we face the uncertainty of the economy and state and federal reforms, we remain willing and capable of adapting to meet the challenge.
It’s a new era, built on a tradition of excellence. We appreciate the continued support of the community as we move forward to bring you the health care services you need.
Gregg Agustin Davidson, FACHE
Chief Executive Officer
