3 min read December 2023 — In an interview with Invest:, Pam Tahan, CEO of Wellington Regional Medical Center, talked about the Center’s community engagement initiatives and training programs, the strategies, such as Lean Six Sigma, that are employed to grow with excellence and how its Women’s Services is a cornerstone of the Center’s healthcare offerings.
How does the Wellington Regional Medical Center contribute to the local community?
Wellington Regional Medical Center serves a large number of people within the community so it would be difficult for people to obtain medical care in our absence. Additionally, we are committed to education and giving back to the community in various ways, such as educating the public, particularly in stroke and cardiac care.
Furthermore, we actively support the local community by actively participating in community events, such as the Wellington Holiday Parade, in addition to providing valuable teaching opportunities by participating in local schools, nursing programs and PA schools. Our Internal Medicine Residency program also graduates numerous internal medicine physicians each year, and many continue their medical journeys with further degrees and fellowships. These programs allow the community to have a continuous supply of essential physicians and specialized medical expertise needed to meet healthcare demands effectively.
What are some of the strengths and opportunities within the Palm Beach Market healthcare landscape that you are looking to capitalize on?
We take great pride in our wonderful healthcare community, offering a comprehensive range of services. From minor injuries treated in our urgent care to critical trauma situations, such as major car accidents, heart attacks and strokes, our Palm Beach County facilities can handle a diverse array of medical cases. Our training programs, in collaboration with state colleges, ensure that we have a tremendous workforce of skilled and dedicated healthcare professionals.
Additionally, we are anticipating exponential population growth in Palm Beach County, particularly since the pandemic. We understand the need to expand our locations and resources to meet the increasing demand due to which we are partnering with our parent company UHS to construct a new hospital in Palm Beach Gardens called Allen B. Miller Medical Center.
How does Wellington Regional Medical Center approach growth and excellence?
At our hospital, we firmly believe in the constant pursuit of improvement, understanding that metrics can always be enhanced. To achieve this, we have a dedicated team of individuals trained in Lean Six Sigma, ensuring continuous process improvement throughout the organization. Even when we achieve positive results, such as impressive door-to-balloon times, we remain committed to finding ways to make our community even healthier and provide even better care.
Accreditations hold significant importance for us as they validate the quality of care we provide. While we may confidently claim to excel in cardiac care, these accreditations, including certifications from the Joint Commission and other specialty awards, serve as concrete evidence of our commitment to excellence. Recently, we were honored to receive the prestigious Platinum award from the American Heart Association, further validating the excellent care we offer to our patients.
What shifts in demand for your services are you observing and what services are you looking to strengthen or newly introduce?
Within the next five to 10 years, it will be fascinating to observe how the dynamics of our young and thriving community in Wellington evolve. With a population that predominantly consists of young professionals and families, we take immense pride in having an excellent school system to support the education of the next generation.
Our Women’s Services have always been a cornerstone of our healthcare offerings, catering to the needs of the vibrant community we serve. As the market continues to grow, we are witnessing a steady increase in demand for these services, resulting in record volumes for both deliveries and patients in our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
While we celebrate this growth, we also recognize the challenges posed by rising property values, making it harder for younger families to afford living in our community. Nonetheless, we remain committed to providing exceptional care for women, regardless of the changes in the real estate market.
In preparation for the future, we are focused on bringing in more specialists who can address the complex and evolving healthcare needs of women. As the healthcare landscape becomes increasingly intricate, we strive to meet the demand for specialized care, ensuring that our patients receive the highest standard of medical attention and expertise.
What are the main challenges for the healthcare landscape in Palm Beach and how are you working to tackle or mitigate these challenges?
At our hospital, we are committed to providing competitive compensation packages and salaries to our valued employees in addition to offering various opportunities for growth. Furthermore, one of our initiatives includes specialized perioperative programs in our operating room. These programs are designed to educate nurses, whether they are new or experienced, in different specialty areas. We collaborate closely with our education department to ensure these programs are in-depth and last for a month, enabling nurses to acquire new skill sets and expand their expertise.
Above all, fostering a positive work environment is a priority for us and we take pride in creating a workplace where staff feel motivated and appreciated as it is our goal to be the hospital of choice for healthcare professionals.
What are some community outreach efforts that you’re excited to roll out toward the end of 2023 and into 2024?
We are proud of our strong network of partnerships with various organizations that enhance our community engagement and promote healthcare awareness. Among our valued partners are the American Cancer Society, with whom we collaborate on Relay for Life events, and the American Heart Association, where we actively participate in heart walks to support cardiovascular health initiatives.
Moreover, we have developed a unique partnership with our equestrian community, reflecting our commitment to serving the diverse needs of our residents. Additionally, we engage with our local mall to foster community involvement and outreach. Furthermore, we collaborate closely with local municipalities, such as the Village of Wellington, to address critical issues affecting our community. Recently, we collaborated on an educational initiative focusing on fentanyl and drug use, ensuring our community is well-informed on these important topics.
Beyond healthcare-related partnerships, we are actively involved with esteemed organizations like the Economic Council of Palm Beach County and the Central Palm Beach Chamber of Commerce. Moreover, I have the privilege of serving on the Palm Beach County EMS Advisory Board, contributing to shaping emergency medical services within the county.
These meaningful partnerships underscore our dedication to making a positive impact on the lives of those we serve and furthering healthcare excellence throughout our region.
What is your outlook for Wellington Regional Medical Center and the overall healthcare landscape within Palm Beach in the near term?
Ensuring a positive consumer and patient experience is a top priority for me, especially with the growth we are experiencing in our community. In Palm Beach County, we recognize the need to do a better job of providing user-friendly communication and embracing cutting-edge technology to enhance our patients’ interactions with us.
Our goal is to create a seamless and user-friendly experience for all our patients, empowering them to engage with us effortlessly. By staying at the forefront of technology, we can deliver efficient and effective care, providing quality services that our community can trust.
Ultimately, we aim to instill a sense of safety and confidence in our patients, assuring them that they are in capable hands. By focusing on the consumer and patient experience, we aspire to transform the way hospitals are perceived, making them welcoming places where individuals feel assured and cared for.
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