Community Health Systems

It's #NationalDogDay - so we want you to meet the newest member of the Northeast Regional Medical Center team—Luna. The 2-year-old Blue Merle Border Collie is known to roam the halls of Northeast Regional, turning 'ruff' days into 'pawsitive' patient experiences. Many CHS hospitals offer pet therapy to help reduce stress and anxiety for patients. (And our team members love to see these furry friends making the rounds, too.) So, today, here's to belly rubs and wagging tails and all of the little things in life that make us feel better.

Physicians Regional Healthcare System in Naples, Florida has partnered with the Immokalee Foundation to offer internships for high school students interested in healthcare careers. The Immokalee Foundation's students come from migrant families, where English often is not their first language, and the prospect of a college degree and professional career can seem out of reach. Over the summer, twelve students joined the team, learning about what it is like to work in the ER, an OR, and many other parts of the hospital. By sponsoring these students as they explore future career options, Physicians Regional is helping to create a brighter future for some amazing young women and men and, just maybe, helping to build the next generation of doctors, nurses, and other caregivers. This wonderful partnership builds confidence and hope, and it also serves as a great reminder to bravely pursue your dreams. Great job Naples team!

Our 2024 Community Impact Report highlights some of the ways our health systems are a positive force in the communities they serve and across the world we all share. Our purpose – to help people get well and live healthier - begins with providing high-quality healthcare. It also comes with a responsibility to do our part to create a healthier, more sustainable future for all. That’s why we make it a priority to support our employees, protect the environment, and help address social determinants of health. And, through the jobs we provide, the capital we invest, and the taxes we pay, we contribute to healthier economies, too. We invite you to read our report and enjoy the inspiring stories made possible by the remarkable women and men who work across the CHS organization. https://lnkd.in/dgVazKVk

As we gather with family and friends, enjoy picnics and barbecues, and watch fireworks this #IndependenceDay, we celebrate our liberties and wish everyone a happy, safe Fourth of July. And we send special thanks to all providers and staff who are working on the holiday to make sure medical care remains available.

We love a story with a happy ending. This one has a happy beginning, too. Joshua and Lina live in New Mexico very close to where devastating wildfires were burning last week. They were paying close attention to the fires and smoke when, at nine months pregnant, Lina went into labor. The couple headed to the nearest hospital in Ruidoso only to find out that it was already evacuating patients and Lina would have to be moved to Eastern New Mexico Medical Center in Roswell. Lina was placed in an ambulance for a three hour ride in bumper-to-bumper traffic. Joshua got in his car and headed to the hospital, too. Cell service was unavailable, so Joshua had no idea how his wife was doing. Fortunately, she was doing fine. Lina made it to Eastern New Mexico Medical Center where the couple was reunited in plenty of time to welcome Hayden, a perfectly healthy, sweet baby boy. Joshua and Lina have expressed how grateful they are for the hospital's team, saying the nurses made them feel comfortable, cared for, calm and ready for their brand new baby. We're proud of the excellent care that Eastern New Mexico Medical Center provided for this family and the quality care provided for all of their patients no matter the circumstances. Joshua and Lina have taken Hayden home to meet his big sister and the rest of the family. Thankfully, the family home was spared from the fire and everyone is looking forward to a happy future with baby Hayden.

We're embracing the opportunity to do things differently by expanding our partnership with Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company, PBC. Today, we announced that CHS hospitals will begin purchasing some medications used in the hospital setting directly from the Cost Plus Drugs Marketplace. This new opportunity helps address increasing costs associated with providing healthcare services, especially the rising cost of essential medications. We look forward to growing this exciting partnership even more as we work together to address drug costs and drug shortages. Alex Oshmyansky, MD, PhD Cost Plus Drugs Marketplace (For Business) Mark Cuban

This #Juneteenth, we join in celebrating the end of slavery in our country and in recognizing the ongoing work to achieve human rights without discrimination and a more equitable society.

People come to hospitals for help, healing, hope. Violence has no place in hospitals. The remarkable people who work in our hospitals should never fear for their safety when they are taking care of patients and helping people get well.  Violence in our communities often ends with victims in an emergency room, or operating room, or some other part of a hospital. The aftermath of violence can be traumatizing for everyone—even the hospital teams most capable of repairing the damage. CHS healthcare systems join the American Hospital Association and hospitals nationwide in drawing attention to this public health and safety issue and calling for an end to violence in our communities, and especially in our hospitals. #HospitalsAgainstViolence | #HAVhope

CHS is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and... belonging. We want all of our teammates to feel welcomed, respected, supported and valued. So, we're saying Happy Pride Month to those on our team who identify as LGBTQ+ #YouBelongHere

We hope you will have a great Memorial Day weekend. We also hope you will join us in remembering the bravery of our fallen heroes and take a moment to be grateful for those who gave their lives so we can enjoy our freedoms.