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As we head into the last quarter of 2020, health care systems and workforce throughout Pennsylvania continue to show amazing resilience. 

As chief financial officer, I am responsible for the financial sustainability of Meadville Medical Center, a medium-sized hospital in rural Crawford County, Pennsylvania.

Sadly, and with greater frequency, nurses find themselves needing protection from those they are trying to help. In my current role as chief nursing officer, I receive reports of such incidents almost daily. Most are the result of physical or verbal abuse by patients and their families or visitors.

We all know health care is changing, with even bigger changes ahead. I described the four most likely “alternate realities” for the future of hospitals and health care. In many ways, hospitals and health systems are feeling the brunt of these changes.

As President and CEO of Main Line Health, I am always looking to our staff to offer me real time insight into how we can continually improve on our efforts to create an inclusive and respectful environment for our patients and colleagues.

Health care is undergoing a major transformation as we move from a volume-based model of care to a value-based model. The Triple Aim focus of improved patient experience, population health, and reduced health care costs is appropriate. But not every hospital can get to the destination at the same pace or even in the same way. The challenge is greatest for small, rural providers.

Pennsylvania hospitals are proud of the part they play in providing “#JobsThatPay,” to borrow Governor Wolf’s apt phrase (and hashtag) and important goal.