In his inaugural address, White urged attendees to think beyond the walls of their own facilities to connect all the components of the commonwealth’s health system and to work collaboratively to advance and improve health for everyone in the Commonwealth.
“As the healthcare sector continues the march toward value and reducing the total cost of care, it will drive us to a better understanding of the complete care continuum, to new expanded partnerships that improve access and efficiency,” White said. “We will be asked to think differently about not only the total cost of high-quality care but also about finding new ways to fund investments that prevent illness in the first place. Several of our members are well along in this journey and it is my hope we can all learn and engage.”
Both White and MHA President and CEO Steve Walsh noted a variety of hospital-led efforts throughout the commonwealth to improve the delivery of care. Walsh cited MHA’s “Caring for the Caregiver” initiative to identify and promote ways that Massachusetts hospitals and health systems can best support their frontline caregivers.
“We all know that the most important component of healthcare is the people,” said Walsh. “Hospitals will redouble their efforts in the coming year to ensure the healthcare workforce has the resiliency and resources to improve care to patients, families and communities.”
MBA, FACHE
Chief Executive Officer, Lowell General Hospital and Executive Vice President of Tufts Medicine