September 19, 2023
Hi Team –
What a beautiful weekend we had for Oktoberfest Zinzinnati – one of the largest Oktoberfests in the world and an annual tradition celebrating our city’s rich German history and heritage! A perfect way to usher in the start of the fall season!
And in case you missed it while enjoying the near-perfect weather on Saturday, TriHealth physicians, leaders, and patients, alongside key stakeholders from across Greater Cincinnati, were featured in a special Health Equity Town Hall on Local 12, hosted by health reporter, Liz Bonis. The 30-minute program, which you can watch here, included TriHealth Chief Health Equity Officer, Dr. Thomas Shockley, Jr., who participated as a guest roundtable panelist. Dr. Shockley spoke about how the TriHealth Center for Health Equity is working to eradicate health disparities, both at TriHealth and throughout our community – all in support of our mission to improve the health, wellbeing, and quality of life of all those we serve. I encourage you to check out this informative and insightful program showcasing the vital importance of TriHealth’s Health Equity work. And a BIG shout out to Dr. Shockley and team for helping to tell our story of how we are working together to Get Healthcare Right for our community!!Getting Healthcare Right
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month
One of the many ways we foster an inclusive and diverse culture of belonging, both at TriHealth and throughout the communities we serve, is to take an active role in learning about and celebrating the rich heritage, historical contributions, and trailblazing achievements of the many ethnic cultures that make up our health system and the community we serve. So, we are proud to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, which is now underway and will continue through October 15.Our DEI+B team, alongside SOMOS, our Hispanic/Latinx Employee Resource Group, have put together a number of events and activities for our team members and physicians to participate in over the coming weeks – all so you can engage with, better understand, and enjoy the richness of Hispanic culture in our community. Here is just a sampling of what you can look forward to:
- Hispanic Cuisine: Our DEI+B team has arranged for food trucks featuring Hispanic menu items to visit the campuses of Good Sam and Bethesda North Hospitals in early October. Additionally, cafeterias across TriHealth will be serving delicious Hispanic meals to try out. Stay tuned for more details.
- Weekly “Spotlight” Features: We’ll be showcasing Hispanic TriHealth team members and physicians, along with community partners each week who will share their personal stories about how their heritage shaped their lives and careers and what Hispanic Heritage Month means to them. Click here to hear from Alfonso Cornejo, President of the Hispanic Chamber of Cincinnati.
- Community Clean Up: In partnership with the Hispanic Chamber of Cincinnati, TriHealth team members will come together on Saturday, October 14 to landscape, clean, paint, and refresh Roberts Academy in Price Hill. Volunteers will help beautify the school campus and connect with families in the community, demonstrating our values-led commitment to SERVE. Click here to sign up to volunteer and learn more.
I hope you will join me in taking advantage of this month-long opportunity to better understand and celebrate the accomplishments and contributions of the Hispanic American community – including our own TriHealth Team – who have blazed trails and inspired others. Visit Bridge for complete details on our Hispanic Heritage Month plans and to explore other community events and educational resources available as we celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month.
McCullough-Hyde Memorial Hospital Completes Triennial Accreditation Survey
Last week, the Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC) completed its three-day Triennial Accreditation Survey of McCullough-Hyde Memorial Hospital (MHMH). And to quote the ACHC lead surveyor, “Overall it was an excellent survey!” And that’s not all the surveyors had to say!
During the survey exit, the lead surveyor commented, “This is an awesome staff, everyone is friendly, transparent and happy to see a surveyor.” Also cited by surveyors during the exit interview were the notable improvements from the previous survey report. Throughout the three-day survey, the clinical surveyors shared how impressed they were with the quality and range of care and service provided by MHMH and TriHealth in the Oxford community. One surveyor commented on how she would be happy to have her family come here for the great care! Now that’s Getting Healthcare Right!!
A BIG THANK YOU to all of the leaders and team members who participated in the three-day survey, and the many others behind the scenes at MHMH in Oxford and throughout our system who helped to make this such a successful survey.
Mark Your Calendars: TriHealth Flu Shot Clinics Open Next Week
As the region’s largest and most respected healthcare provider, it is our responsibility to do all we can to keep our patients, and ourselves, safe and healthy. And one important way we can do this is to help prevent the spread of the seasonal flu virus throughout TriHealth and the community we serve. As has been our practice – and a CDC/Centers for Medicare and Medicaid requirement for nearly ten years – the flu vaccine will again be required for all TriHealth team members, physicians, and volunteers, unless a medical or religious exemption is requested and approved. This is one of the most effective ways we can protect our patients and each other from the unnecessary spread of the flu and its often serious, and sometimes even deadly, effects.
Next Monday, September 25, we will launch our annual flu shot campaign – a fast, easy, and convenient way for you to get vaccinated. You can receive your flu shot in multiple ways: at any of our nine TriHealth Employee Health flu shot clinics (click here for locations), your physician's office, or from another community vendor. Visit Bridge for full details and click here to schedule your free flu shot at one of our TriHealth clinics!
And speaking of doing our part to keep our patients and ourselves safe and healthy, earlier this month, the FDA approved the new COVID vaccine targeting currently circulating variants. While the CDC and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid are no longer mandating COVID vaccination for healthcare workers, we are continuing to recommend that team members and physicians receive the new COVID vaccine to both protect themselves and those we serve. As soon as the new COVID vaccine is available, we will offer it at our four hospital sites (Bethesda North, Good Sam, McCullough-Hyde, and Bethesda Butler), as well as at our TPP Vaccine Clinics at BNOI and Western Ridge. We’ll let you know as the vaccines arrive!
Jeff Young Appointed System Director of TriHealth Protective Services
I am pleased to share that following a thorough selection process that included many talented and experienced internal and external candidates, TriHealth’s own, Jeff Young, has been appointed to the permanent role of System Director of Protective Services. Jeff has served at TriHealth for nearly five years leading our Protective Services teams at both Good Samaritan and Bethesda North Hospitals, prior to serving as interim System Director since June.Jeff and his teams have made impressive strides in recent years to expand and strengthen our Protective Services capabilities and performance, all to ensure a safe and secure environment for team members and patients. Under Jeff’s leadership, Protective Services has seen dramatic increases in staffing and visibility across the system, as well as encouraging improvement in team engagement and internal customer service satisfaction!
Jeff’s appointment is yet another example of how TriHealth’s commitment to grow talent internally and build a “deep bench” of capable team members and physicians through the TriHealth Way continues to pay off! Please join me in congratulating Jeff and wishing him all the best in his new role!
Tune in Tomorrow: September Team Member Town Hall – September 20 at Noon
I hope to “see” all of you virtually tomorrow for our Monthly Team Member Town Hall, livestreamed from 12 -1pm on Bridge. Tune in to hear all the latest updates on our important work to Get Healthcare Right, celebrate wins, and get your questions answered. And don’t forget, all those who join the conversation have the opportunity to win some really cool TriHealth prizes! So be sure to send in your questions today to TownHall@trihealth.com.
Thank you for all you do to bring to life the TriHealth Way, and ultimately, Get Healthcare Right for each other and all those we serve! Because of you, we are helping our community live healthier, better lives!
See you at the Town Hall!!