It has been nearly two years since my last editorial for Heartland Beat. I am overwhelmed by the changes and progression we have made as an organization. Two years ago, we were in the beginning phases of our strategic planning for Henderson Health Care. As part of that process, the staff, administration, and Board of Directors have been collaborating and strategizing ways to address the growth of our business and continued success in caring for the communities we serve.
Since that time, we have expanded our outpatient specialty clinics bringing in more choices and services for our patients. The leading cardiology services in the State are offered right here in Henderson through the Nebraska Heart Institute and Bryan Heart Institute specialists. We invited Nebraska Orthopedics and Sports Medicine to join Lincoln Orthopedics in bringing weekly orthopedic services to our patients. Dr. Stritt, a Pulmonologist brings his healthcare team each month as well to compliment the established specialty teams of Dr. Growney and Dr. YeYe for General Surgery, Dr. Copur and Dr. Raemakers for Oncology, and Dr. Lepinski and Melissa Fulton, PA, for Urology. In the past two years, the specialty clinic visits have increased 60% overall confirming the need and desire for these services locally.
Henderson Health Care has seen a tremendous amount of growth not only from the expansion of services as highlighted above, but from the continued delivery of quality services from our staff and providers. Both of our clinics (in Henderson and Sutton) average over 30 new patients each month, our long term care and assisted living facilities are maintaining high occupancy rates, and our outpatient services continue to increase. In January of this year, we initiated the recruitment efforts for an additional Physician to join our team of providers. In May, we purchased a new lot in Sutton to secure our presence of healthcare within the community. Efforts have begun to design a clinic to better serve the community’s healthcare needs and preferences.
We continue to be challenged on our Henderson campus with the problems of aging physical structures such as the long term care facility as well as portions of the hospital. Although these structures have been well-maintained and can appear to be in sound condition, they are not designed nor have the capability to accommodate the expectations and requirements of today. We continue to work through solutions with our staff, Board of Directors, and architectural team.
We continue to be united in our efforts to secure our future in healthcare delivery. We are excited for the journey ahead of us, and as always, appreciate your support and guidance as community members.
Cheryl Brown, CEO
Henderson Health Care
