The success of any hospital is dependent upon its physicians, and Christ Hospital is privileged to have some of the best doctors in the region on our medical staff. It is said that becoming a physician, a healer, is a vocation, a calling – one not to be entered into lightly. The Hippocratic Oath states a physician does not treat a fever or a tumor, but a human being. And those entrusted with this sacred vocation must respect the finest traditions of this calling, and experience the joy of healing those who seek such help.

Reflecting upon the current healthcare environment, it is not difficult to understand the frustrations experienced by our physicians, in a profession that often seems devoid of such joy. The medical malpractice crisis, reduced reimbursements, and increased government regulations, are just a few of the many obstacles that seem nearly impossible to circumvent. As physicians are charged with treating the patients as unique human beings with specific needs, our doctors are seemingly reduced to bottom line statistics reflected on a corporate balance sheet or a government report.

While I wish it were possible to quickly rectify this national “crisis,” we are working on several “local” initiatives to partner with our physicians. For example, we have taken a hard look at the various real estate opportunities for our hospital. After careful deliberation, we are constructing new medical arts office center which will accommodate private suites for our physicians – on our hospital campus. Part of this new construction will include a new ambulatory / surgical center, and we are planning to “partner” with our physicians in this new venture.

Recognizing that the majority of our physicians are single practitioners, we have taken steps to assist them in the hospital setting. Critically ill patients are overseen by an intensivist who works hand-in-hand with the admitting physician. Our finance department and our Foundation have worked hard to provide funds for the equipment and technology our physicians need. And our quality initiatives have resulted in our participation in the Leapfrog Hospital Awards Program for patient safety, our five-star rating for excellence in maternity care from Healthgrades, a national rating company, and our awarding of a two-year grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation for a cardiology study.

If you are one of our 500+ physicians who make up our medical staff, we look forward to working with you, and if you would like to join our team of top-notch physicians, please give us a call at 201-795-8266.