Thanks to you, Salem Health has been designated by The Oregonian as a Top Workplace for the fourth consecutive year – and fifth win in total!
One reason I am especially grateful to all of you for this honor is it shows our teamwork and spirit during and following the fire in Building B. Every staff member and physician who was here helped move 76 patients and save lives. Supply chain employees saved us hundreds of thousands of dollars in what would have been lost inventory. Security and facilities staff escorted the firemen through smoke-filled corridors. Entire departments were displaced, but everyone is still doing the same great quality work.
I can’t call out every act of heroism during the fire and recovery, but I would be remiss not to mention how these stories are absolutely indicative of a Top Workplace. I couldn’t be prouder to be a member of such an outstanding team.
Another reason we earned this designation comes from our quality improvements and financial execution. This work comes down to efficiencies and better patient experiences delivered on the front lines. Your commitment to relentless improvement underscores how “No patient harm is acceptable to us” — it makes us a better health care system every single day.
As I’ve said before, Salem Health strives to be a special workplace with a culture of listening and dedication to our patients. This Top Workplace culture is built through:
I can think of endless examples of how we’ve improved in each area through our provider and physician partnerships, resiliency training and peer support, our collective efforts during the Joint Commission survey, and much, much more.
Looking to the future, the qualities which earned us this honor will carry us through some of the challenges we face as we build a new 150 patient bed expansion. I know change isn’t easy, but I also know employees and providers are united in doing what is best for our community.
Thank you for your dedication to our mission, listening to each other and making Salem Health an amazing place to work!