'Imagining 2016' Program Tailors High Tech Healthcare to the Community

EAU CLAIRE, Wis., Oct. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Hospital Sisters Health System's (HSHS) Western Wisconsin Division, which consists of Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire and St. Joseph's Hospital in Chippewa Falls, is taking an uncommon approach at the onset of the hospitals' five-year strategic planning efforts. Beginning at the grassroots level, the Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls communities are being asked for their input in charting the future of a healthcare system. While financial performance, the role of technology, requirements of healthcare reform and patient outcomes are major factors hospitals consider in the planning process, what is often missing are the larger needs of the community that is served. To remedy this situation, Sacred Heart Hospital and St. Joseph's Hospital are inviting the public to participate in conversations about the future of healthcare.  Input is being gathered through visioning sessions, community meetings and online interaction.  

"We are very excited to involve our community in the discussion of the future of our system," said Steve Ronstrom, CEO of Sacred Heart Hospital and President, Western Wisconsin Division, Hospital Sisters Health System. "We will be holding multiple visioning sessions throughout October and November to gather ideas to help write a new strategic plan. The plan, Imagining the Future: 2016, will focus on what people truly want within a hospital system and we hope to gather that information during our visioning sessions with the community."

As part of the visioning sessions, Sacred Heart Hospital and St. Joseph's Hospital have invited Eugene, Oregon-based Dr. Pamela Wible to lead a series of "Dream Your Hospital" sessions on October 25 and 26. A board-certified family physician, Dr. Wible pioneered a community-designed ideal medical practice. She will conduct eight small-group sessions and two large community meetings to gain input on the healthcare needs of the people of western Wisconsin. Sessions will take place in both Chippewa Falls and Eau Claire.

Imagining the Future: 2016 is the continuation of HSHS's mission to provide the best possible service and technology available to their patients. With the availability of Sacred Heart's Smart ORs (specialized neurosurgical suites comprised of advanced imagery and mapping technology to provide state-of-the-art treatment for brain, spine and trauma patients), the hospital's Center for Imaging, and St. Joseph's state-of-the-art new Emergency Department, the hospitals continue to be on the forefront of healthcare technology. Most recently, Sacred Heart Hospital and St. Joseph's Hospital implemented the use of electronic medical records to continue to reinvent the patient experience within their organizations.

"We hope, with the help of Dr. Wible, to connect with our community and truly get an understanding of what they are looking for in the future of healthcare and the healthcare system," said Joan Coffman, President and CEO of St. Joseph's Hospital, and Vice President for Physician Relations, Western Wisconsin Division, Hospital Sisters Health System. "The information we gather over the next few months will be unveiled in early 2011 with the launch of our new strategic plan."

Visit Imagining the Future: 2016 to learn more.

About Sacred Heart Hospital

Sacred Heart Hospital strives to provide patients the best, most specialized treatment available by blending advanced technology with the Franciscan tradition to improve health by treating the whole person – body, mind and spirit. As an affiliate of the Hospital Sisters Health System, the hospital has been meeting patient needs in western Wisconsin, since 1889, with the latest medical innovations and technology. For additional information about Sacred Heart Hospital, visit www.sacredhearteauclaire.org.

About St. Joseph's Hospital

St. Joseph's Hospital has served the people of the Chippewa Falls area since 1885 with health care that is high tech and, more importantly, high touch. Known locally for the quality of the care it provides patients, the hospital has been recognized nationally for its outstanding patient satisfaction levels. Sponsored by the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis, headquartered in Springfield, Ill., it is an affiliate of Hospital Sisters Health System, one of the nation's largest Catholic health care systems. To learn more about St. Joseph's Hospital, visit www.stjoeschipfalls.com.

SOURCE Sacred Heart Hospital; St. Joseph’s Hospital