Giving Thanks
By David White, Chairman and CEO

Recently two words made my day. Thank you. It was an expression of gratitude for something I did – something I thought was fairly insignificant, but the gratitude was clearly genuine. I got to thinking about that, and I've come to the conclusion there are two kinds of thank yous. There is the perfunctory "thanks" we might say and hear a dozen times a day, as simple, good manners require. Then, there is the very heartfelt "thank you" that goes beyond politeness. Such an expression of real appreciation can make our day, when we know we have made a difference in someone else's. Hearing a real "thank you" reminds us that it isn't all that difficult to pay a little more attention to others and to appreciate more ourselves. Like other good habits, gratitude is contagious. As Thanksgiving approaches, I'm glad we work in an industry where there is no shortage of opportunities to do things for which others are grateful. Even if to us those things might seem routine. For that, I'm truly thankful.

Back to Top

2004 Benefits – Enroll Now

IASIS employees have until Wednesday, November 26th to enroll in benefit plans for 2004. IASIS offers medical, dental and vision plans, flexible spending accounts, life and disability insurance, long-term care coverage, and a 401(k) plan. In order to receive benefits in 2004, you must enroll, using a computer on the IASIS system, by November 26. If you have questions about benefits, please contact the HR Director at your facility.

To enroll, go to www.iasishealthcare.com
Choose the "For Employees" option
Select "Employee Benefits"
Select "Enroll Online"

Back to Top

Year-End Earnings

Year-end figures for IASIS show the company up nearly 15 percent in net revenue. Net earnings for the year were up as well, to $20.6 million compared with a net loss of $11 million last year. Admissions increased about 5 percent.

Commenting on the strong year, David White said, "Our hospitals continue to serve their communities by adding value through facility expansion, equipment and technology upgrades, and the recruitment of highly qualified physicians. We are pleased with our operating results in this fiscal year and are looking forward to continued success in fiscal 2004."

Click here to read more about IASIS's fourth-quarter results.

Back to Top

Park Place Receives Honor for Cardiac Care

Congratulations to Park Place Medical Center for being recognized with an Outstanding Care Award for its participation in the CRUSADE initiative. The program, sponsored by Duke University Medical Center, studies how hospitals adhere to treatment guidelines for patients with serious heart conditions. Only 10 percent of the 500 participating hospitals achieve the Outstanding Care Award.

Back to Top

Suite Deal at Tempe St. Luke's

Three hundred people helped Tempe St. Luke's celebrate the reopening of its OB unit with a "Born in Tempe" party. The event was designed to introduce the public to the new Birthing Suites, which offer brand new labor, delivery, recovery and postpartum rooms and a nurse midwifery program. Since reopening in June, more than 187 babies have been born at the hospital.

Back to Top

These Cats are Wild!

The fur was flying in the lobby of Mid-Jefferson Hospital recently, as employees and visitors met members of the Texas Wildcatters professional hockey team. Mid-Jefferson is the official hospital for the team, and Dr. Jack Johnston (at left in photo) is a team physician and a sports medicine orthopedist at Mid-Jefferson. "We're thrilled to be a part of this," said John Gallagher, interim CEO. "We'll have our hospital logo on the ice at Wildcatters' games and the hospital will sponsor a Health Tip of the Night and the Team Injury Report at each game."

Back to Top

The Difference Between Men and Women

What satisfies a woman is very different than what satisfies a man when it comes to hospital stays. A survey of 2 million patients by Press Ganey shows that men are typically more satisfied with nursing care and food, while women are more satisfied with pleasant room décor and how well their physicians keep them informed. The survey also shows that patients 65-79 years old tend to be the most satisfied patients and those 35-49 years of age tend to be the least satisfied. Overall, though, the highest satisfaction ratings are assigned to caregivers, with "skill of the physician" and "friendliness and courtesy of the nurses" at the top of the list.

Read the Press Ganey Satisfaction Report (PDF).

Back to Top