Dear Colleagues:
In the challenging health care environment of Eastern Massachusetts and the Northeast, BW/F will benefit from a carefully thought out, aggressive Strategic Plan. In order to maintain our current role as a premier medical center in New England and across the U.S., we need to mature our outpatient and inpatient service lines in a way that make most sense given our current and estimated resources for the future.

With rapid shifts in health care, such as cardiac surgery shifting to community-based settings, academic medical centers, including BWH, have to adapt accordingly.
A key component to such alterations lies within our ability to strengthen our referral relationships. At the same time, internal improvements such as length of stay reductions and a streamlined discharge process will vacate the necessary beds to accommodate increased volume as a result of such enhanced relationships.

Another key aspect of moving the Strategic Plan forward is distinguishing ourselves by innovation. BWH is well positioned to advance technology that is homegrown; however, the hospital will look to improve and adopt even more innovation. The goal is to further integrate technology and science for advanced patient care delivery and our image as a top U.S. hospital

Related to all aspects of the strategy is the need for growth. I look forward to your ideas and hard work to ensure we adhere to this well thought-out plan.

Sincerely yours,

Lawrence H. Cohn, MD
Chairman, BWPO