This week our interim CIO Phil Kahn and his team went live with the new HIT blog. The purpose of the blog is to keep you updated on the progress of our key IT initiatives, including the new patient portal, … Continue reading →

Five years ago on my living room floor, my daughter Carly and her friend Michelle, both competitive swimmers, had a push up contest. I had offered the 10-year-old girls $1 per perfect push up, trying to get them to do … Continue reading →

As co-chair of this year’s United Way Campaign, I recently had the privilege of visiting three programs in Central Massachusetts that benefit from the generosity of UMass Memorial Health Care employees. During the 2013 campaign, our Worcester-based caregivers donated almost … Continue reading →

Like most health care organizations, we borrow money from time to time to build new buildings or purchase expensive equipment needed to take care of our patients by selling bonds to investors and promising to pay the money back with … Continue reading →

Over the past year, more than 400 employee idea boards have gone up across the health system. The boards have brought to life thousands of ideas aimed at improving the UMass Memorial experience for our patients and caregivers, and they are … Continue reading →

In a recent Fortune Magazine article, the author posed the questions, “What if doctors used powerful mobile applications to remotely track compliance of their patients’ treatment plans and progress?” “What if they could provide patients with remote access to their … Continue reading →

I’ve heard great things about our satellite endoscopy suite at 21 Eastern Ave. so on Tuesday I decided to visit and see the suite for myself. I was impressed with the facility; it offers easy access for patients right off … Continue reading →

I’d like to take a moment to wish all of you and your families a safe and happy Independence Day; especially to those of you who are working today to keep our patients well-cared for. Thanks for everything you do … Continue reading →

When HCAHPS (Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems) scores for the inpatient unit on the University Campus fourth floor were presented last fall to Timothy Emhoff, MD, Chief of Trauma Surgery and Surgical Critical Care, they were not good. But … Continue reading →

Over the past week, you may have seen articles about our current financial performance (Note: subscription may be required for some of this content: Worcester Telegram & Gazette, Boston Business Journal ). As the articles suggest, the patient (us) has been … Continue reading →

Many years ago I was participating in a Kaizen (Japanese for “good change”) event and a laboratory technician asked if the nurses in the ER could stop putting the red STAT stickers on the lab tubes as they would sometimes … Continue reading →

Hello, On Friday May 16, 2014, leaders from across the system came together to learn about our strategic plan and the current state of UMass Memorial Health Care.  Below is a transcript of my introductory comments and a video link … Continue reading →

I had the opportunity to round at HealthAlliance Hospital last week where I saw some of the most innovative idea boards I have ever come across.  I visited four of the 52 idea boards currently in use at Health Alliance … Continue reading →

Several times a day the nurses on the Medical Center’s Memorial Campus South 6 unit are asked by providers (physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners) for a prescription pad so they can write prescriptions for patients being discharged. This step … Continue reading →

Today marks the running of the 118th Boston Marathon. The marathon has always meant something very special to the city of Boston, the state, the country and beyond. This incredible run on Patriot’s Day has always reminded us of our … Continue reading →

As you’ve read in this blog, UMass Memorial Health Care is working through some very challenging financial issues. While we have made some progress in reducing our expenses, improving quality, and executing our long-term strategic plan, additional actions must be taken … Continue reading →

The best part of my job is getting out of the office and going to the place where the value added work is being done. In Lean terminology, this is called the “gemba.” When I go to the gemba I … Continue reading →

As you’ve read in this blog, in the local media, and heard from your managers, UMass Memorial Health Care is working through some very challenging financial issues. We are dealing with these issues by reducing our expenses, seeking new revenue … Continue reading →

Over the past several months, UMass Memorial Health Care has been making many changes in the way we provide care for our patients and our managerial structure with the goal of improving the quality of care we deliver to our … Continue reading →

A longtime volunteer at the Medical Center retired last week, at the age of 112 years young! That, of course, is in dog years. Oscar the pet therapy dog has been comforting many of the young patients in our Children’s … Continue reading →