Memo to MedWest-Harris/Swain Staff from Steve Heatherly
4/17/2012
To:MedWest-Harris/Swain Staff
From:Steve Heatherly
Date:April 16, 2012
Re:Press Regarding Jackson County Commissioners Meeting
By now, many of you have likely become aware that a group of physicians appeared before the Jackson County Commissioners at a meeting on Monday evening. Dr. Bob Adams spoke to the County Commissioners about his concerns related to MedWest, Carolinas’ HealthCare System (CHS) and the impact on Harris and Swain of participation in MedWest and affiliation with CHS.
We have all been aware that a group of physicians, led by Dr. Adams, has been in dialogue since last summer with the WestCare Board and CHS regarding their concerns about management personnel, the management structure, CHS as an affiliation partner, and MedWest as a concept. This fact was acknowledged in the employee forums that we conducted in February. While I find it regrettable that Dr. Adams and others have decided to leave our organization, the task at hand for the Staff, Medical Staff, and management at Harris and Swain remains the same. We must focus on meeting the needs of every single patient that we have the honor of serving with the goal of attracting more patients, turning market share, and placing Harris and Swain on solid financial footing.
I had the pleasure to meet with a group of Medical Staff leaders last Thursday evening to focus on the strategy for Harris and Swain going forward. We spent a fair amount of time discussing the future of our hospitals in the context of MedWest and CHS. I am proud to report that there was unanimity around the idea that our primary focus must be to make all of our hospitals a great place for physicians to practice and a high quality environment in which we take excellent care of our patients. That focus has created the enduring legacies of Harris and Swain and is critical to our success going forward.
Thanks to each of you for the commitment you demonstrate daily to provide exceptional care and service to our patients.