When we invest in ourselves, we invest in the community
by Dr. Kelch
One look around our ever-expanding medical campus and you’d likely guess—correctly—that “Growth and Investment” is the Health System Strategic Principle at the forefront these days. I’ve joked that the ubiquitous giant yellow crane popping up in various aerial photos of our campus has become an unofficial mascot.
We are, in fact, investing in ourselves at a record pace during the next 10 years, as laid out in our capital plan.
The key to our growth is that it is done wisely. It is not an end, but a means to meeting the increased demand for our services. It is inextricably linked to furthering our missions of patient care, education and research, and ensuring that they remain in sync.
We are the state’s—and region’s—resource for this important work, and we are eager to deliver on that commitment. Health care is the largest employer in the state, and leaders across Michigan see it as the engine that will drive our new economy. As a recent Crain’s Detroit Business editorial noted, “Diversifying southeast Michigan’s economy starts by building on its strengths. Health care is one of the strongest.” I agree, but for us to be that continued source of strength, we need to expand—in all areas.
In addition to the facilities we’ve already opened to address our capacity concerns and meet the demand for our clinical care and research, we are hoping to expand in the educational realm. We just put together a committee to begin considering a teaching facility that could be used jointly by the schools of Medicine, Nursing, Dentistry, Public Health, Pharmacy and Social Work.
We don’t have shareholders in the true sense, but I believe our society in general is the closest approximation. The dividends our community members earn from our sound investments are an advancement of knowledge and better, more cost-effective care to more of the people who need it. In short: Doing greater good. That’s the best investment we can make.
Visit Dr. Kelch’s Web site for information on the UMHS Master Plan and Strategic Principles.
|
