The Trustees of Jennie Stuart Health are guided by our duty to support the health system’s critical role in our community. We are stewards of a cherished asset that has both ensured the health of our community and served as an anchor of the local economy for more than a century. This is a responsibility we do not take lightly.
Like many in our community, our families rely upon the compassionate care this health system provides, from births to broken bones, and our focus is positioning Jennie Stuart and its physicians for success both today and well-beyond our years of service to the Board.
The fact is that local non-profit health systems across the country are facing significant challenges. Jennie Stuart is not immune to these pressures, and while leadership works diligently to navigate a difficult operating environment, our system lacks the financial resources necessary to make much needed investments in the capabilities and technologies required of a modern health system.
Just last week, research firm S&P Global published a detailed report on Jennie Stuart. While the report makes clear that Jennie Stuart maintains a “stable” operating performance, this analysis also outlines the financial limitations facing our hospital system as we continue to encounter historically elevated expenses.
Ensuring the highest quality of care for our patients and attracting, retaining and empowering our caregivers requires Jennie Stuart to make substantial long-term investments. Therefore, a stronger future for Jennie Stuart demands proactive action today to not only maintain our financial position, but also to ensure a brighter future for our patients, providers and community tomorrow.
Over the last year, our Board has considered a thorough list of potential partnerships and other strategic initiatives that could create a stronger future for Jennie Stuart (including opportunities specific to gaining access to an electronic health record, or EHR, system). With support from leading external advisors, we determined that Deaconess is an ideal partner for Jennie Stuart, given their closely aligned mission of providing high-quality, community-focused care and ability to provide the resources needed to make essential investments in Jennie Stuart’s technology, facilities and the employee experience.
We recognize change can bring uncertainty — and know that we can and should do more to communicate why this is the best path forward for Jennie Stuart. With this in mind, we welcome members of this great community to join Jennie Stuart Trustees for an information session at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 30, in the Cotthoff Learning Center at Jennie Stuart Medical Center.
Advancing Jennie Stuart’s incredible legacy and supporting our people will always be at the heart of every decision we make, and we are committed to making thoughtful decisions and taking actions that will improve the care we provide. What makes Jennie Stuart special will not change.
Jennie Stuart embodies the Hopkinsville community at its core — our Board, physicians and employees grew up in this community — and will remain central to the fabric of our community for another 100 years. Community-focused decision making, supporting our local economy and providing high-quality local healthcare will continue to anchor the future of Jennie Stuart Health.
Leslie Carroll is the chair of the Jennie Stuart Health Board of Trustees.
