Bill Robertson, CEO
Former president John F. Kennedy once said, âChange is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.â Kennedy spoke these words during one of his public addresses in 1963 â a tumultuous time in history â but they are no less apt today. Change is not only the law of life, as Kennedy so eloquently put it; it is also the defining nature of health care.
In many ways, 2023 was a year defined by perseverance, not altogether unlike 2022. While COVID-19 no longer drove record-setting surges in patient volumes, as it had in recent years, we continued to navigate a challenging post-pandemic health care landscape. Inflation, workforce shortages, drug shortages and stagnant reimbursement rates, among other factors, compounded to threaten our financial sustainability.
Yet if our organizationâs history, stretching back more than 140 years, has taught us anything, itâs that we do not succumb to challenges, no matter how entrenched or unyielding they may seem. Instead, we use them as a catalyst for transformation. In 2023, teams across MultiCare, from our frontline staff to leadership at every level, came together to reimagine how we deliver care, not only to overcome present-day hardships but to ensure that we are able to fulfill our mission of partnering for healing and a healthy future for many generations to come.
In this report, youâll find milestones MultiCare achieved across our system in 2023 as part of our ongoing efforts to proactively change health care for the better. Iâm proud to share examples of how we:
⢠Grew access to care across the state of Washington by expanding services and making progress on new facilities
⢠Improved equity and quality of care through award-winning programs
⢠Shaped the future of our industry by addressing workforce gaps and embracing innovative technology solutions
⢠Elevated the health and well-being of our communities through partnership
While itâs true that health care is constantly evolving, what never changes at MultiCare is how we consistently embrace our values in both good times and bad, bringing them to life with our words and actions. Respect, integrity, stewardship, excellence, collaboration, kindness â as well as our recently added value of joy â guide every decision we make and served as the foundation for each accomplishment youâll read about in this report.
I am honored to be a part of our dedicated MultiCare team, and I am inspired by each team memberâs unwavering commitment to meeting the needs of our patients, families and the communities we serve. Our journey continues, and I look forward to sharing our 2024 achievements and innovations with you in a yearâs time.
Bill Robertson
CEO of MultiCare