By Tom Neal, CEO of Highlands-Cashiers Hospital
I hope readers enjoyed their holidays and are ready to usher in 2024 with hope, confidence, and excitement.
The beginning of the year also seemed like an ideal time to deliver a “state of the hospital” report, or a snapshot of where Highlands-Cashiers Hospital (HCH) and Eckerd Living Center (ELC) are across multiple sectors. I’m pleased to share that you’ll see the news is good, and we are poised for measured, smart growth.
Since the news I’m sharing involves varied areas within HCH and ELC, my report will be included in two CEO columns, this month’s and February’s.
HCA Healthcare’s investment in HCH for 2024 will bring exciting things to healthcare for our community that will enhance the patient experience, including new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computerized tomography (CT) imaging technology.
We are also going to be able to build a new, state-of-the-art gym for the patients in our rehabilitation programs. These projects carry a price tag of $5 million and bring the total capital investment in HCH to well over $15 million since we joined HCA in 2019.
Additionally, important hospital infrastructure improvements were finalized, such as an electrical power system upgrade that included the installation of new generators, and construction on the hospital that made our campus accessible to individuals with disabilities as per the guidelines of the ADA, the Americans with Disabilities Act. These are the types of projects that are not completed in hospitals unless there are long-term plans in place.
In 2024, we are also investing in new services. We will continue to grow our long-shuttered but recently opened surgical services, thanks to the fact that we have been able to welcome talented surgeons to our team, including orthopedic surgeon Dr. Mark Moriarty, and general surgeons, Dr. James Osborne and Dr. Zachary Phillips.
The addition of these respected physicians reflects our investment in recruiting top-notch people to our team here at HCH.
We have also had success with recruitment of nursing and clinical staff as well as support staff, reducing our reliance on contract labor (“travel nurses”), which represents a more costly, less community-based solution. This is a significant win at a time when there is a nationwide nursing shortage.
It is also important to point out that we have reduced contract labor while increasing the total headcount at HCH to support our growth through expanding our permanent, locally based staff.
I attribute this recruitment success to the amazing culture at HCH. The care is amazing, and it is the people are who make it that way. I have more than 35 years of experience in healthcare and have always prided myself as a top clinician or leader. During this time, I have worked in great and poor settings. Let me just say that talented doctors, nurses, clinical professionals, and support staff are attracted to hospitals where they can provide unmatched care like HCH and ELC.
Another critical way HCH is investing in people and healthcare careers is our state-approved Certified Nursing Aide (CNA) training program. Enrollees receive six weeks of paid training, with the guarantee of a job upon completion. We are so proud of this program and the urgently needed healthcare professionals it is preparing. Since the initiative’s inception, we have overseen seven training programs, and more than 50 CNAs have graduated. Many of our graduates are now students of local nursing programs, with their sights set on advancing in their chosen career of healthcare.
Please join me in my optimism about HCH and ELC’s future. Our team has distinguished itself by delivering top quality care and unmatched service that has set a platform for growth. With the support of HCA, I am enthusiastic about the days to come.
Tom Neal, RN, MBA, MHA, is the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) of Highlands-Cashiers Hospital.