Journal of Sacred Work

 
Where do you find Radical Loving Care of the kind we write about regularly in the Journal?   The staff of the Baptist Healing Trust is pleased to announce ten health care organizations that have been named to our Healing Hospital ™ list for the 2007 calendar year. This list was compiled by our staff based on our evaluation of available data, the implementation of strategies of Radical Loving Care (either literally or figuratively), and the creation of cultures which are affirming to the notion of quality and compassion.
   None of these organizations has, of course, achieved total success. Yet we believe that each of these organizations is deserving of special recognition for the efforts they are making and the heights they have achieved. We are grateful to them for the work they are doing to keep patients and staff at the center…

   The list is as follows:
1) Parrish Medical Center – (above left) Titusville, Florida
     Under the leadership of CEO George Mikitarian, Parrish has made the top spot for the third year in a row. In honor of this achievement, we are retiring their name from our top ten list. They will continue to be reviewed and supported as they continue to strive to create healing moments and healing environments throughout the year. Congratulations to Parrish!
2) Mercy Gilbert Hospital (CHW) (left) – Gilbert, Arizona (Phoenix)

    As Mercy Gilbert begins to fill up the many new beds added to their facility, their tradition of loving care continues. CEO Laurie Eberst continues to do a marvelous job leading this fine hospital located nearby Phoenix. Mercy is the leading faith-based hospital on our list and is close to the top again this year. With Laurie’s leadership, this organization continues to thrive.
3) Griffin Hospital – Derby, Connecticut
     CEO Patrick Charmel continues to lead this organization to glory as Griffen has again ranked among the top places to work anywhere in the country by leading business journals. Griffin’s effective use of the Planetree model has resulted in an employee-friendly environment that makes them the envy of organizations throughout America – both hospitals and non-healthcare organizations.
4) St. Joseph Hospital (SJHS) Orange, California
     Although this hospital continues to work on improving its ER performance, it continues to be, hospital-wide, the place to go when you’re sick or if you want to work in a loving environment in Southern California. CEO Larry Ainsworth is a model of humility as well as tough-minded, tender-hearted leadership. His decision to get out of his office to work regularly on the front-lines with his staff sets the kind of example that convinces employees that leadership truly cares about taking care of the people who take care of people.
5) Baylor Hospital – Dallas, Texas
   Although this is the first appearance for Baylor on our Healing Hospital list, we are pleased to recognize them this year as they continue to advance their faith-based mission with particular power. We are impressed with the Baylor team, lead by system CEO Joel Allison, and believe they will continue to improve as they intensify their focus on loving care in the Christian tradition.
6) Sharp Healthcare – San Diego, California
   A Malcolm Baldridge Award winner, this four-hospital system also makes its first appearance on our list. Sharp has built a terrific reputation for balancing clinical excellence with compassionate care and we are pleased to recognize their success.
7) Johnson City Medical Center (MSHA) Johnson City, Tennessee

   The flagship hospital of the fourteen-hospital Mountain States Health Alliance is an oasis of compassionate care. This exceptional hospital demonstrates extraordinary healthcare for the people of eastern Tennessee. Their long running commitment to patient-centered care, together with the enlightened and progressive leadership of system CEO Dennis Vonderfecht (left), makes them an easy choice for our list.
8) Mercy Health System – Janesville, Wisconsin
   Another Baldridge Award winner, this Mercy system is also new to our list. This organization has achieved astoundingly high patient satisfaction scores and their hospitals represent a splendid balance of quality and compassionate care.
9) St. Mary Medical Center (SJHS)- Apple Valley, California
   Although St. Mary has experienced some financial challenges, CEO Jason Barker remains deeply committed to building a culture where sacred encounters sit at the center. Under the overall encouragement and support of system CEO Debra Proctor, we believe Jason and St. Mary will thrive.
10) Riverside Methodist Hospital (OhioHealth) – Columbus, Ohio
   Over the past couple years, Riverside has experienced the loss of some of their best senior nursing leaders. Nevertheless, they have managed to sustain a strong culture of excellence. We are hopeful that they will continue to thrive and focus even more on their culture of loving care.
   Congratulations to each of these hospitals and systems for making quality loving care the center of their work. For this next year, we will be expanding our panel of judges to include George Mikitarian and other top CEOs from across the country.
   Watch the Journal for the announcement later this week of the Healing Hospital CEO of the Year.

-Erie Chapman