Dear Colleagues:Later this month, we will be announcing our redefinition of our vision for Brigham and Women’s/Faulkner Hospital that will establish for the first time a unified approach to patient care, research, education and community service across the spectrum of our enterprise. Many of you are quite familiar with the remarkable progress that we have witnessed as the affiliation between BWH and Faulkner Hospitals has evolved. As we move into a new era of intensifying public health challenges, we believe we are readily positioned to address these challenges directly and with focus.

Under the leadership of BW/F President Gary Gottlieb, a new statement of purpose has been developed that encompasses a future vision of BWH, Faulkner, the Brigham and Women’s Physician Organization. The Statement also further defines our relationship with critically important affiliates such as the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, organizations within Partners HealthCare. I encourage every member of our medical staff to develop a stronger understanding of the unique relationships that exist here and how we can leverage those relationships to achieve future success.

To that end, Dr. Gottlieb will be hosting a Town Meeting on February 25, 2003 from
11 a.m. to noon in the Bornstein Family Amphitheater. I urge you to attend and bring your questions and input. In addition, we will periodically cover the elements of the new BW/F Vision Statement within the pages of BWH Medical Staff News and other hospital publications, such as BWH Bulletin.

Many of the concepts associated with the new BW/F Vision Statement will look and feel familiar. That is only appropriate as we build upon the strength of nearly two centuries of exemplary medical success. This hospital has always been home to innovation. As we direct the course of our future, innovation will no longer be an option; it will be essential to our success.

Sincerely,

Andy Whittemore, MD
Chief Medical Officer