As we reflect back on the remarkable achievements of last year, we can be proud of the hospital’s strong performance in promoting quality patient care, research and our academic mission. This continuing success has been matched by an equally solid financial performance. As dedicated members of our medical staff, your efforts at ensuring BWH’s place among the world’s best hospitals were essential to that success.

As we look forward, we recognize that our future success will require a carefully crafted strategy - consistent with our mission and values - that will allow us to navigate the immense challenges that lie ahead. Around us we see the adverse impact of an uncertain environment as our economy continues to experience softening and government support for health care diminishes.

In response, we have developed a strategic plan dedicated to charting a clear course for BWH in future years. In the coming weeks and months you will be hearing more about this plan that has the strong support of hospital leadership. It examines the hospital’s service mix, length of stay, cost improvement, revenue enhancements, outpatient services and network development.

Individually, these areas will challenge us to perform effectively. Collectively, they will allow the hospital to better insulate itself from the uncertainties of the moment and allow us to grow our mission effectively in the future.

The challenges facing all health care institutions will not cease, the issues facing us will only grow more complex. Yet, central to our ability to address these factors will be a strategic framework within which we can operate to our maximum potential. We will continue to share our progress on this important initiative and will undoubtedly call upon many of you for your support and input. Based upon the legacy of this institution’s historic achievements, I know that we can rise to these challenges and build an even stronger hospital dedicated to serving our patients and their families.

Sincerely,
Andy Whittemore

Chief Medical Officer