Columbus Regional Health continues exciting and important work not only within our organization but also through many partnerships across our community to meet the ever-changing needs and expectations of those we serve.  As we envision and plan for the future, it is imperative that we reflect on the past and I find the beginning of each New Year an opportunity to do just that.

This New Year is especially meaningful as we enter into a new decade – my, where has the time gone?  History has enjoyed summing up decades with catchy nicknames such as the Roaring Twenties (has it been 100 years?), The Fabulous Fifties, or The Swinging Sixties to name a few.  While the “Twenty Tens” are now behind us, much progress was made at CRH over the past ten years.  

The “Twenty Tens” at Columbus Regional Health can be called “Growth and Expansion”.  Many of our clinical services and programs grew and expanded significantly such as our Cardiovascular Services, Oncology Services, Pulmonary Services, Surgical Specialty Services, Emergency Services and Primary Care Services.  The last 10 years reflected our growth from a hospital to a health system encompassing many new physician practices and outpatient services under a name change to Columbus Regional Health.   

Additionally, we celebrated the opening of a new Emergency Department in 2015 that doubled its previous size. Our Cancer Center underwent significant facility and clinical equipment enhancements to reflect the growing population and keep those needing cancer care closer to home. Our Surgical Services launched a new hybrid Operating Room suite.  Columbus Regional Health became officially designated as “Baby-Friendly,” and late last year we were listed as one of the Top 50 Cardiovascular hospitals in the country.  In the last 10 years we also introduced WellConnect, our front door and concierge to healthcare in the community. We closed the decade with the launch of our new comprehensive electronic medical record system, known to patients as MyChart, which was a $35 million dollar investment to well-position us for the next decade and beyond.

While this list could go on, the important takeaway is this: the months and years fly by and it is important to take time to recognize and appreciate accomplishments yet stay focused on what’s next.  Our successes over the years are due to the passionate, dedicated healthcare professionals serving our community and region each and every day.

It is our people that will move us forward through the next decade and beyond. They are the faces that you see not only caring for you when you are within our walls, but also out in the communities we serve. It is the nurse who also serves on her child’s school PTO or the doctor who sings in the church choir or the environmental services attendant who shovels his elderly neighbor’s driveway after each snowfall.

As we continue to usher in a new year and a new decade, I hope you will join me in valuing the past, appreciating today and dreaming about the future you can create.