Dear Colleagues,
It’s hard to believe that one year ago this month, Capital Region Medical Center officially became part of MU Health Care. I am so proud of the collaboration that has made the first year of integration such a success.
Without the flexibility and teamwork of our employees in Jefferson City, we would not be in the position to expand services, increase beds and offer innovative new treatments.
I had the opportunity to view Capital Region’s impressive collaboration late last year when I attended a Tier 3 huddle meeting and rounded in several departments.
The purpose of the Tier 3 huddle is for leaders from all departments and areas to be able to report or escalate any changes or concerns related to safety, equipment, staffing or processes.
The huddle also helps raise awareness about health system announcements, including timely requirements like the flu vaccination deadline.
Huddles begin with new attendee introductions and celebrations before moving to throughput or logistics issues so that teams can be as proactive as possible to ensure the safest and most efficient care possible.
We also view important metrics regarding the hospital’s capacity, resources and supplies.
It was impressive to watch the many different departments contributing to the huddle, each offering valuable insight and information to help guide future decision-making.
Following the Tier 3 huddle, I joined Capital Region nurse clinical manager Kevin Weatherspoon and MU Health Care Chief Nursing Officer Shanon Fucik for rounds in the emergency room, intensive care unit and several other departments.
The rounding provided me an opportunity to speak with staff in each department to learn more about their daily duties, successes and challenges. The strong sense of community is very apparent as you walk the halls at Capital Region. They share pride in their community hospital and each employee exudes warmth that instantly makes you feel welcomed.
I could not be more pleased with the growth and positive momentum occurring at Capital Region Medical Center just 12 months after its integration. The progress further solidifies our goal to ensure that Capital Region serves its surrounding communities by providing the best possible care for many future generations.
Sincerely,
Rick Barohn, MD
Executive Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs and Hugh E. and Sarah D. Stephenson Dean, School of Medicine
rbarohn@health.missouri.edu
