2 min read November 2023 — In an interview with Invest:, Joseph Webb, CEO of Nashville General Hospital, discussed the hospital’s national recognition for diverse and equitable healthcare, its role as an economic driver and innovative initiatives like the Congregation on Health and Education Network and the Food Pharmacy program, which address healthcare challenges and enhanced patient care.
What significant impact is Nashville General Hospital making in Middle Tennessee and how is it creating positive change?
I’ve been leading Nashville General Hospital in Middle Tennessee since Jan. 2015. We take pride in being the original community hospital and the sole public hospital in the Middle Tennessee region. Our commitment lies in caring for all members of our community, irrespective of their ability to pay. We’re proud to have received national recognition for our diverse and equitable healthcare delivery system, ranking fifth in the nation by the Lown Institute. In an era where health disparities and inequities persist, being among the Top 5 diverse and equitable healthcare delivery systems out of 3,000 hospitals nationwide is a significant achievement. We’re dedicated to using evidence-based methodologies like the Chronic Care Model to ensure that our healthcare delivery is rooted in science, not speculation or conjecture, making it the science of healthcare delivery, encompassing more than just medicine.
How does the expansion of services at Nashville General Hospital contribute to your role as an economic driver in Middle Tennessee?
We employ and staff over 700 people at our hospital and have an operating budget of $160 million. We are expanding our services to a third location in Bordeaux, which is a healthcare desert, providing primary care, specialty services and urgent care. We are also opening a free-standing imaging center with MRI, CT, ultrasound, X-ray and mammography services. This expansion positively impacts the local economy by bringing healthcare resources closer to the community.
How do the demographic shifts and growth in Middle Tennessee create opportunities for innovation and change at Nashville General Hospital?
When addressing large populations, we focus on value-based care and innovative management initiatives like the Congregational Health and Education Network (CHEN). This faith-based initiative involves over 100 member churches, particularly among minorities and African Americans. We concentrate on education attainment, which significantly impacts social determinants of health, including access to food, housing, transportation and overall health. Education attainment is a key factor in improving health outcomes. CHEN has four pillars: education attainment, access to healthcare, health literacy and member support. By promoting better education within the faith-based community, especially among African Americans and people of color, we can positively influence a cohort of individuals moving toward better economic viability and improved health outcomes. Many communities of color often rely on their faith organizations for support, as there’s a lack of trust in basic health institutions. To make a real impact, we must confront these realities and address the challenges we face without hesitation.
Is healthcare in the United States considered a market product and how does it impact the nation’s economy?
In the United States, we have the highest per capita healthcare costs compared to other nations, with around 20% of our GDP being spent on it. This means that for every dollar spent on consumer goods and services, about a dollar goes toward healthcare. Healthcare is treated as a market product in the United States, contributing to wealth just like any other commodity. This approach is based on the belief that the more we spend on goods and services, the stronger our economy becomes. Healthcare is a resource for building wealth, which can also create challenges. Unlike most industrialized countries, the United States does not have universal healthcare, with the exception of certain products (e.g., Social Security and Medicaid).Having dedicated Essential1 (public) hospitals, such as Nashville General Hospital, helps ensure the marginalized and underserved have access to adequate healthcare.
What does the Level III trauma center designation mean for Nashville General Hospital and its impact on Middle Tennessee?
Having a trauma designation allows us to be prepared for patients in emergency situations at Level III. This designation reassures emergency responders that we can handle patients with specific acuity levels, positively impacting the volume of patients we receive. It defines our capabilities.
What specific initiatives are you most excited about in the future of Nashville General Hospital?
After the facility in the Bordeaux community, the next most exciting project is having plans to build a new hospital. Since 2019, we have been doing preliminary work, including programming, feasibility studies (pre and post pandemic), economic impact study and pro forma. With the recent election of a new Mayor, we are bringing him and his administration up to speed on our due diligence and look forward to working with them on the future of Nashville General Hospital.
We plan to expand services, including behavioral health inpatient services, comprehensive women’s health services to address disparities, an improved cancer care program with advanced technology and a skilled nursing facility. Skilled nursing will allow us to better manage the economics of the hospital and provide care more efficiently.
What is the key feature of the Food Pharmacy program at Nashville General Hospital and how has it impacted patient care?
Some of the big challenges we face at Nashville General Hospital are dealing with the high costs inflated by traveling clinical staff, especially for nursing and respiratory therapists, and increased costs for pharmaceuticals. As food insecurity widens due to the economy, we have a unique program called The Food Pharmacy at NGH. Food is medicine and this program provides access to needed foods for our patients. We screen patients for food insecurity and if they test positive, we provide them with food resources from our on-site Food Pharmacy, including fresh produce and tailored options for disease specific conditions such as cancer, hypertension, and diabetes. This program has improved patient survival and ensures that no one goes hungry. The food we provide is prescribed according to each patient’s medical needs, ensuring they receive the right nutrition for their condition. It’s a unique aspect of what Nashville General Hospital offers.
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