On March 24, the staff of Monroe Clinic successfully moved hospital operations into our new facility. A month later, I am happy to report to the community that things are going smoothly in the new space. Over the past couple weeks, there have been several comments made and questions about various aspects of our new hospital. While space does not allow detailed comments on each issue, I would like to offer some comments in response.
n While the new facility provides a "hotel-like" atmosphere, particularly in the public spaces, let me assure all that Monroe Clinic is not in the hotel business. Our physicians, nurses and other clinical experts provide a broad range of high-tech, specialized services not typically found in communities our size. The vision we strive to reach every day is "Exceptional Health Care. An Exceptional Experience." Our investment in the new hospital incorporates key findings from evidence-based research in healing environments - natural lighting, soothing colors and design, noise reduction, and patient-centric spaces.
n With the move complete, we will soon begin planning for the re-use of the former hospital - renamed the St. Clare Center. Over the next few months, we will be developing a plan for the best use of the building. Then we will begin the process of renovation and relocation to support that plan.
n There have been no layoffs or involuntary terminations at Monroe Clinic to support the new facility. In fact, our employment levels have grown by 29 positions over the past year. We are growing to better serve the community - not shrinking to pay for a new building. In fact, we are very proud that throughout the recent economic times, we have not had any layoffs at all. We have been able to do this because many dedicated Monroe Clinic team members have been flexible and open to changes to support new technology and changing needs of our patients. Some staff chose to leave Monroe Clinic rather than adjust to changing needs and we certainly respect and support those decisions.
n Yes, we have new uniforms throughout Monroe Clinic. This change came from our clinical leaders based on feedback from patients and research from other communities regarding confusion over "who's who?" within a clinical environment. With more than 1,000 staff members and approximately 65 percent of them affected by the change, we knew that not everyone would be 100 percent happy with this decision. This was planned for months and department staff had input into colors and styles. We also provided a modest stipend for all affected staff to help with the transition. While we're only a few weeks into our new look, the initial response from patients has been quite positive. Monroe Clinic is not paving new ground with this move - Cleveland Clinic made this transition in 2005 and many other health systems have done the same since then.
In the 1930s, a group of visionary physicians came together to form Monroe Clinic. About the same time, the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes took this community up on its invitation to build St. Clare Hospital. Those two events began our healing mission that inspires us to this day. We appreciate all the support and input we have received from the communities that we have had the privilege to serve. We are here to serve you and your families. We want to be as transparent as possible in all that we do. If you have comments or questions about anything that's going on at Monroe Clinic, please call me at (608) 324-1263 or email me at mike.sanders@monroeclinic.org. I'd be happy to talk with you.
- Mike Sanders is president and CEO of Monroe Clinic
n While the new facility provides a "hotel-like" atmosphere, particularly in the public spaces, let me assure all that Monroe Clinic is not in the hotel business. Our physicians, nurses and other clinical experts provide a broad range of high-tech, specialized services not typically found in communities our size. The vision we strive to reach every day is "Exceptional Health Care. An Exceptional Experience." Our investment in the new hospital incorporates key findings from evidence-based research in healing environments - natural lighting, soothing colors and design, noise reduction, and patient-centric spaces.
n With the move complete, we will soon begin planning for the re-use of the former hospital - renamed the St. Clare Center. Over the next few months, we will be developing a plan for the best use of the building. Then we will begin the process of renovation and relocation to support that plan.
n There have been no layoffs or involuntary terminations at Monroe Clinic to support the new facility. In fact, our employment levels have grown by 29 positions over the past year. We are growing to better serve the community - not shrinking to pay for a new building. In fact, we are very proud that throughout the recent economic times, we have not had any layoffs at all. We have been able to do this because many dedicated Monroe Clinic team members have been flexible and open to changes to support new technology and changing needs of our patients. Some staff chose to leave Monroe Clinic rather than adjust to changing needs and we certainly respect and support those decisions.
n Yes, we have new uniforms throughout Monroe Clinic. This change came from our clinical leaders based on feedback from patients and research from other communities regarding confusion over "who's who?" within a clinical environment. With more than 1,000 staff members and approximately 65 percent of them affected by the change, we knew that not everyone would be 100 percent happy with this decision. This was planned for months and department staff had input into colors and styles. We also provided a modest stipend for all affected staff to help with the transition. While we're only a few weeks into our new look, the initial response from patients has been quite positive. Monroe Clinic is not paving new ground with this move - Cleveland Clinic made this transition in 2005 and many other health systems have done the same since then.
In the 1930s, a group of visionary physicians came together to form Monroe Clinic. About the same time, the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes took this community up on its invitation to build St. Clare Hospital. Those two events began our healing mission that inspires us to this day. We appreciate all the support and input we have received from the communities that we have had the privilege to serve. We are here to serve you and your families. We want to be as transparent as possible in all that we do. If you have comments or questions about anything that's going on at Monroe Clinic, please call me at (608) 324-1263 or email me at mike.sanders@monroeclinic.org. I'd be happy to talk with you.
- Mike Sanders is president and CEO of Monroe Clinic
