1 00:00:01,839 --> 00:00:04,419 This is where health care leadership comes together. 2 00:00:04,480 --> 00:00:07,679 Becker's sixteenth annual meeting brings more than 3,500 3 00:00:07,679 --> 00:00:10,800 hospital and health system executives and nearly 800 4 00:00:10,800 --> 00:00:11,939 speakers to Chicago 5 00:00:12,240 --> 00:00:14,644 April. 6 00:00:14,644 --> 00:00:17,285 This year's event includes keynote conversations with Dallas 7 00:00:17,285 --> 00:00:20,164 Cowboys legend Troy Aikman and former president George 8 00:00:20,164 --> 00:00:22,885 w Bush. For the agenda and event details, 9 00:00:22,885 --> 00:00:25,204 visit beckershospitalreview.com 10 00:00:25,204 --> 00:00:26,804 and click on the events tab in the 11 00:00:26,804 --> 00:00:29,445 upper right. We're looking forward to hosting you 12 00:00:29,445 --> 00:00:29,760 in 13 00:00:30,719 --> 00:00:31,219 Chicago. 14 00:00:31,519 --> 00:00:33,760 This is Laura Dirda with the Becker's Healthcare 15 00:00:33,760 --> 00:00:34,260 podcast. 16 00:00:34,640 --> 00:00:36,399 I'm thrilled today to be joined by Tessa 17 00:00:36,399 --> 00:00:36,899 Inouisky, 18 00:00:37,679 --> 00:00:40,479 CEO and president of Loreto Hospital. Tessa, it's 19 00:00:40,479 --> 00:00:41,920 a pleasure to have you on the podcast 20 00:00:41,920 --> 00:00:44,454 today. Thank you, Laura. I'm excited to be 21 00:00:44,454 --> 00:00:44,954 here. 22 00:00:45,335 --> 00:00:47,995 Absolutely. Now I'm looking forward to our conversation 23 00:00:48,054 --> 00:00:50,935 because it's covering a an extremely important topic 24 00:00:50,935 --> 00:00:53,975 today, thinking about health equity, safety net hospitals, 25 00:00:53,975 --> 00:00:55,335 and how they're preparing for some of the 26 00:00:55,335 --> 00:00:57,850 coverage losses that are coming, down the pipe 27 00:00:57,850 --> 00:01:00,109 over the next year or two. So, 28 00:01:00,570 --> 00:01:02,090 I think this will be a very valuable 29 00:01:02,090 --> 00:01:03,850 discussion, and I'm looking forward to digging in. 30 00:01:03,850 --> 00:01:05,450 But before we do, can you tell us 31 00:01:05,450 --> 00:01:07,130 a little bit more about yourself as well 32 00:01:07,130 --> 00:01:08,189 as Loreto Hospital? 33 00:01:08,810 --> 00:01:10,109 Oh, absolutely. Loreto 34 00:01:10,435 --> 00:01:12,594 Hospital is a community safety net, 35 00:01:12,995 --> 00:01:15,495 hospital located on the West Side Of Chicago 36 00:01:16,194 --> 00:01:17,415 in the Austin community. 37 00:01:17,954 --> 00:01:20,534 We serve a very high Medicaid population. 38 00:01:21,314 --> 00:01:22,055 Our current, 39 00:01:22,930 --> 00:01:24,530 status about 84% 40 00:01:24,530 --> 00:01:26,609 Medicaid with another 11% 41 00:01:26,609 --> 00:01:27,670 that struggle with, 42 00:01:28,530 --> 00:01:30,870 self pay or and or charity care. 43 00:01:31,489 --> 00:01:33,909 We've been around for over one hundred years. 44 00:01:34,290 --> 00:01:36,344 We are a full service hospital. We do 45 00:01:36,344 --> 00:01:38,045 not do trauma, but we do 46 00:01:38,344 --> 00:01:40,685 general and acute care at the hospital. 47 00:01:41,144 --> 00:01:42,444 I've been with the organization, 48 00:01:43,465 --> 00:01:45,564 for fifteen and a half years. 49 00:01:45,864 --> 00:01:48,104 In the current capacity, the last three and 50 00:01:48,104 --> 00:01:48,685 a half, 51 00:01:49,340 --> 00:01:51,500 I'm very excited to have, 52 00:01:51,900 --> 00:01:53,760 been home quote, unquote homegrown, 53 00:01:54,859 --> 00:01:57,500 and was able to be elevated into this 54 00:01:57,500 --> 00:02:00,319 role having served a number of roles throughout, 55 00:02:01,180 --> 00:02:03,500 my time here at Loretto Hospital, but very 56 00:02:03,500 --> 00:02:06,125 excited about the current role that I'm in 57 00:02:06,125 --> 00:02:07,185 and all of the, 58 00:02:08,125 --> 00:02:09,884 impacts that we can that I believe that 59 00:02:09,884 --> 00:02:11,884 we can make as an institution in terms 60 00:02:11,884 --> 00:02:12,705 of redefining 61 00:02:13,324 --> 00:02:14,145 and rebranding, 62 00:02:15,004 --> 00:02:17,245 the role and reputation of safety nets, not 63 00:02:17,245 --> 00:02:19,425 just in Chicago, but throughout the country. 64 00:02:20,540 --> 00:02:22,639 Absolutely. I love that. And, you know, clearly, 65 00:02:22,699 --> 00:02:24,000 Loreto Hospital is a, 66 00:02:25,500 --> 00:02:27,280 is a very special place for you. 67 00:02:28,060 --> 00:02:30,379 What do you see as being something that, 68 00:02:30,379 --> 00:02:31,979 you know, has really kept you there for 69 00:02:31,979 --> 00:02:35,194 fifteen years? What about Loretto Hospital is so 70 00:02:35,194 --> 00:02:37,594 important and, you know, how, have you been 71 00:02:37,594 --> 00:02:39,435 able to grow your passion for safety net 72 00:02:39,435 --> 00:02:39,935 hospitals? 73 00:02:40,715 --> 00:02:42,974 Absolutely. Well, I come from a family who, 74 00:02:43,435 --> 00:02:46,094 has been involved in social service for over, 75 00:02:46,969 --> 00:02:49,290 forty five years. And so I think it 76 00:02:49,290 --> 00:02:50,669 just runs through my veins. 77 00:02:51,370 --> 00:02:53,610 But more importantly, I think I've I've had 78 00:02:53,610 --> 00:02:56,409 some personal experiences in terms of the health 79 00:02:56,409 --> 00:02:57,150 care system, 80 00:02:57,849 --> 00:02:59,870 and dealing with some of the social disparities, 81 00:03:01,335 --> 00:03:03,514 that are impacted by vulnerable populations. 82 00:03:03,895 --> 00:03:06,074 I myself in my younger years had 83 00:03:07,094 --> 00:03:10,375 encountered or experienced several challenges and so for 84 00:03:10,375 --> 00:03:11,835 me it is very personal, 85 00:03:12,455 --> 00:03:14,955 very passionate about making sure that 86 00:03:15,409 --> 00:03:16,790 you know, health care inequities 87 00:03:17,169 --> 00:03:20,469 are addressed in at risk and vulnerable communities. 88 00:03:21,169 --> 00:03:21,909 And so, 89 00:03:22,449 --> 00:03:24,849 again, it just it's it I was born 90 00:03:24,849 --> 00:03:25,490 for this. 91 00:03:25,810 --> 00:03:27,889 My family happens to run one of the 92 00:03:27,889 --> 00:03:28,870 largest outreach 93 00:03:29,305 --> 00:03:31,625 homeless agencies in the city of Chicago. And 94 00:03:31,625 --> 00:03:32,125 so, 95 00:03:32,585 --> 00:03:34,985 my mother is an executive director. My both 96 00:03:34,985 --> 00:03:37,224 of my sisters are COOs. My daughter's the 97 00:03:37,224 --> 00:03:37,724 LCSW. 98 00:03:38,105 --> 00:03:40,985 So we we are all heavily embedded in 99 00:03:40,985 --> 00:03:43,145 the space of social service, host social and 100 00:03:43,145 --> 00:03:43,965 human services. 101 00:03:45,030 --> 00:03:46,629 That's amazing to hear. And, you know, what 102 00:03:46,629 --> 00:03:48,949 an important service that all of those things 103 00:03:48,949 --> 00:03:51,110 are in in Loretta Hospital too, to the 104 00:03:51,110 --> 00:03:52,729 Chicago community. And, 105 00:03:53,270 --> 00:03:55,349 just really, really grateful to have you and 106 00:03:55,349 --> 00:03:56,090 your family 107 00:03:56,469 --> 00:03:58,810 having great deep roots here in Chicago. 108 00:03:59,325 --> 00:04:01,085 Now from your perspective, when you think about 109 00:04:01,085 --> 00:04:02,064 safety net hospitals, 110 00:04:02,605 --> 00:04:05,325 how are you preparing for the increased patient 111 00:04:05,325 --> 00:04:06,865 demand in 2026? 112 00:04:07,004 --> 00:04:09,025 I know some of the legislative changes, 113 00:04:09,405 --> 00:04:10,224 will impact 114 00:04:10,605 --> 00:04:13,599 the way, you know, that patients are, finding 115 00:04:13,599 --> 00:04:15,840 access to care, coverage, and more. And so 116 00:04:15,840 --> 00:04:16,879 could you talk to us a little bit 117 00:04:16,879 --> 00:04:19,040 about the things you're watching most closely and 118 00:04:19,040 --> 00:04:21,040 how you're preparing for the next couple of 119 00:04:21,040 --> 00:04:21,540 years? 120 00:04:22,079 --> 00:04:25,199 Absolutely. Well, obviously, the proposed Medicaid cuts would 121 00:04:25,199 --> 00:04:27,335 significantly impact our patient population. 122 00:04:28,194 --> 00:04:30,035 Again, we serve, 84%, 123 00:04:30,595 --> 00:04:33,634 Medicaid population again with another 11% 124 00:04:33,634 --> 00:04:35,875 charity care and self pay. And so one 125 00:04:35,875 --> 00:04:38,035 thing that we're looking very closely at is 126 00:04:38,035 --> 00:04:40,680 is seeing that whether that self pay number 127 00:04:41,000 --> 00:04:43,240 starts to arrive, and and we've actually started 128 00:04:43,240 --> 00:04:46,039 to see that trend. So we're monitoring that 129 00:04:46,039 --> 00:04:48,539 very closely. As a safety net institution, 130 00:04:48,839 --> 00:04:51,899 having that designation means that we serve patients 131 00:04:52,120 --> 00:04:54,045 regardless of their ability to pay. 132 00:04:54,925 --> 00:04:57,324 Anyone who walks through our emergency room door 133 00:04:57,564 --> 00:05:01,425 doors gets service. And so we are, deeply 134 00:05:01,564 --> 00:05:02,944 committed to that mission 135 00:05:03,324 --> 00:05:05,404 to making sure that anyone who needs, 136 00:05:05,884 --> 00:05:07,884 access to care gets the care they need 137 00:05:07,884 --> 00:05:09,025 when they need it most. 138 00:05:09,740 --> 00:05:13,100 And, so we're looking at contrary to what 139 00:05:13,100 --> 00:05:13,920 other people, 140 00:05:14,540 --> 00:05:17,340 are likely talking about is, you know, layoffs 141 00:05:17,340 --> 00:05:19,180 and cuts. That's the first thing that you, 142 00:05:19,180 --> 00:05:21,020 you know, comes to mind when you're talking 143 00:05:21,020 --> 00:05:21,520 about, 144 00:05:22,139 --> 00:05:24,925 resources and dollars being stretched. But on the 145 00:05:24,925 --> 00:05:27,004 other hand, we're looking at it as how 146 00:05:27,004 --> 00:05:28,225 can we reimagine 147 00:05:29,004 --> 00:05:31,725 our service delivery? How can we reimagine health 148 00:05:31,725 --> 00:05:34,685 care in this community so that the twin 149 00:05:34,845 --> 00:05:36,810 ten to twenty year death gap that 150 00:05:37,529 --> 00:05:40,189 these are are well, our communities experience 151 00:05:40,649 --> 00:05:42,430 when you talk about seven miles away 152 00:05:42,889 --> 00:05:44,649 that, you know, people are living at the 153 00:05:44,649 --> 00:05:46,329 80 and and, you know, on the West 154 00:05:46,329 --> 00:05:48,410 Side Of Chicago or on the Southwest Side, 155 00:05:48,410 --> 00:05:51,045 you're looking at a twenty year difference. And 156 00:05:51,045 --> 00:05:54,165 so looking at really growing our service line 157 00:05:54,165 --> 00:05:56,345 and how can we be a better partner 158 00:05:56,725 --> 00:05:57,225 to 159 00:05:57,605 --> 00:06:01,045 other, community based organizations and health care providers 160 00:06:01,045 --> 00:06:01,865 in the community, 161 00:06:02,805 --> 00:06:04,245 and how can we be a better partner 162 00:06:04,245 --> 00:06:06,345 with some of the larger public and private 163 00:06:06,550 --> 00:06:07,370 institutions that 164 00:06:07,830 --> 00:06:10,250 have capacity issues. Currently, we're seeing 165 00:06:10,629 --> 00:06:13,110 upwards of five to six months just to 166 00:06:13,110 --> 00:06:16,250 get a a diagnostic test procedure to, 167 00:06:16,790 --> 00:06:18,949 determine what's wrong with you even before you 168 00:06:18,949 --> 00:06:21,290 can begin treatment. And so I think, 169 00:06:21,944 --> 00:06:24,504 that plays a tremendous burden on on a 170 00:06:24,504 --> 00:06:25,004 person's, 171 00:06:25,544 --> 00:06:27,805 quality of life, their mental well-being, 172 00:06:28,264 --> 00:06:30,345 not knowing what's happening or what's going on 173 00:06:30,345 --> 00:06:32,044 with with their bodies, and, 174 00:06:32,504 --> 00:06:34,345 having to wait long periods of time. And 175 00:06:34,345 --> 00:06:36,285 I think there's an opportunity for, 176 00:06:36,800 --> 00:06:39,520 larger institutions to really partner with their local 177 00:06:39,520 --> 00:06:42,879 safety nets to decrease those capacity issues so 178 00:06:42,879 --> 00:06:43,379 that, 179 00:06:43,839 --> 00:06:46,480 health care inequities and access to care doesn't 180 00:06:46,480 --> 00:06:47,620 continue to diminish. 181 00:06:48,654 --> 00:06:50,175 That makes a lot of sense. It is 182 00:06:50,175 --> 00:06:52,334 helpful to understand. I think, you know, looking 183 00:06:52,334 --> 00:06:54,254 at it and having that mindset shift of 184 00:06:54,254 --> 00:06:55,854 not, you know, hey. How are we cutting? 185 00:06:55,854 --> 00:06:57,694 But, really, what do we need to do 186 00:06:57,694 --> 00:06:58,574 in order to, 187 00:06:59,134 --> 00:07:01,694 continue to provide these services and thinking differently 188 00:07:01,694 --> 00:07:04,480 and creating different models of care. And in 189 00:07:04,480 --> 00:07:05,939 those partnerships that you mentioned, 190 00:07:06,920 --> 00:07:09,120 I think are are so critical. Are there 191 00:07:09,120 --> 00:07:12,000 any that, you know, you've been able to 192 00:07:12,000 --> 00:07:14,240 enter into that have been particularly fruitful or 193 00:07:14,240 --> 00:07:15,865 or something that is kind of in the 194 00:07:15,865 --> 00:07:17,225 works that you can talk a little bit 195 00:07:17,225 --> 00:07:19,704 about, you know, to to dig a little 196 00:07:19,704 --> 00:07:21,544 bit deeper into the ways that you're working 197 00:07:21,544 --> 00:07:24,524 with the community in in really finding solutions, 198 00:07:24,665 --> 00:07:26,345 you know, in different ways than you have 199 00:07:26,345 --> 00:07:27,084 in the past? 200 00:07:27,464 --> 00:07:30,425 Oh, absolutely. So Colorado Hospital is a partner 201 00:07:30,425 --> 00:07:31,339 with two, 202 00:07:32,040 --> 00:07:32,540 HFS, 203 00:07:33,240 --> 00:07:33,740 transformation 204 00:07:34,040 --> 00:07:35,899 collaboratives in the state of Illinois. 205 00:07:36,439 --> 00:07:38,779 One is Wellness West. The other is Collaborative 206 00:07:38,839 --> 00:07:39,339 Bridges. 207 00:07:40,040 --> 00:07:41,819 So we partner with those, 208 00:07:42,680 --> 00:07:43,180 institutions 209 00:07:43,560 --> 00:07:46,905 that bring in a number of community partners 210 00:07:46,965 --> 00:07:50,185 and, again, community based organizations to really enhance 211 00:07:50,564 --> 00:07:52,805 service delivery and access for those in the 212 00:07:52,805 --> 00:07:53,305 community. 213 00:07:53,764 --> 00:07:55,764 So that if we don't have the current 214 00:07:55,764 --> 00:07:56,264 capacity, 215 00:07:56,725 --> 00:07:58,985 then we can do some very warm handoffs 216 00:07:59,205 --> 00:08:00,504 to one of our partners 217 00:08:00,860 --> 00:08:02,699 because I think the we don't want to 218 00:08:02,699 --> 00:08:05,740 lose patients and individuals that need care because 219 00:08:05,740 --> 00:08:08,560 there's no immediate access. And so I think 220 00:08:08,779 --> 00:08:10,959 in times when resources are strained, 221 00:08:11,419 --> 00:08:13,759 we we tend to go into survival mode. 222 00:08:13,819 --> 00:08:15,120 The immediate thing is 223 00:08:15,500 --> 00:08:17,845 competition and not collaboration. And I think when 224 00:08:17,845 --> 00:08:18,745 you're talking about 225 00:08:19,125 --> 00:08:21,125 the lives of human beings and then and 226 00:08:21,125 --> 00:08:23,764 and their health care needs, it has to 227 00:08:23,764 --> 00:08:24,264 always 228 00:08:24,725 --> 00:08:26,425 be collaboration. We cannot 229 00:08:26,884 --> 00:08:29,365 continue to move in terms of putting profit 230 00:08:29,365 --> 00:08:31,430 over people. And so I think we do 231 00:08:31,430 --> 00:08:33,290 a great job of partnering with, 232 00:08:33,670 --> 00:08:35,670 all of our partners in in both of 233 00:08:35,670 --> 00:08:36,410 those collaboratives. 234 00:08:36,950 --> 00:08:39,670 Collaborative Bridges tends to focus more on the 235 00:08:39,670 --> 00:08:41,049 behavior health aspect, 236 00:08:41,590 --> 00:08:44,335 and then Wellness West does, some behavior health, 237 00:08:44,335 --> 00:08:46,495 but, addresses a lot of the primary care 238 00:08:46,495 --> 00:08:48,735 issues that the community and our patients are 239 00:08:48,735 --> 00:08:51,375 faced with. So I think, again, we need 240 00:08:51,375 --> 00:08:53,554 to continue to build on those collaborations 241 00:08:54,174 --> 00:08:56,495 to make sure that we are keeping patients 242 00:08:56,495 --> 00:08:57,795 within our bandwidth. 243 00:08:58,670 --> 00:09:00,129 No one should have to travel 244 00:09:00,430 --> 00:09:02,590 more than a couple miles to get care. 245 00:09:02,590 --> 00:09:03,090 Community, 246 00:09:04,269 --> 00:09:06,769 based hospitals and community based organizations 247 00:09:07,149 --> 00:09:09,170 are critical to that effort. 248 00:09:10,029 --> 00:09:11,550 That makes a lot of sense. And, you 249 00:09:11,550 --> 00:09:13,309 know, it is really important to have those 250 00:09:13,309 --> 00:09:14,565 access points and, 251 00:09:15,044 --> 00:09:16,024 additional support. 252 00:09:16,404 --> 00:09:18,105 I'm curious. When you look at the community 253 00:09:18,164 --> 00:09:20,085 overall, how do you see it shifting and 254 00:09:20,085 --> 00:09:22,245 changing? Who is being most impacted by some 255 00:09:22,245 --> 00:09:23,865 of these coverage losses? And, 256 00:09:24,565 --> 00:09:25,465 where do you anticipate, 257 00:09:25,845 --> 00:09:27,225 you know, needing to, 258 00:09:27,764 --> 00:09:29,284 shift in order to fill some of those 259 00:09:29,284 --> 00:09:29,784 gaps? 260 00:09:30,539 --> 00:09:33,279 Oh goodness. Yes. The reality is clear. 261 00:09:33,820 --> 00:09:35,440 Now more than ever, it's expensive, 262 00:09:35,820 --> 00:09:36,959 to be poor in America. 263 00:09:37,500 --> 00:09:40,940 And we are really looking at how looking 264 00:09:40,940 --> 00:09:43,100 at ways that if these Medicaid cuts go 265 00:09:43,100 --> 00:09:43,600 through 266 00:09:44,095 --> 00:09:45,075 and and those, 267 00:09:45,774 --> 00:09:47,934 requirements that are now needed in terms of 268 00:09:47,934 --> 00:09:48,434 workforce, 269 00:09:49,294 --> 00:09:51,855 the workforce requirement, that we are doing what 270 00:09:51,855 --> 00:09:53,774 we can to partner with our patients to 271 00:09:53,774 --> 00:09:56,894 address those needs. And so we have a 272 00:09:56,894 --> 00:09:58,174 free we will be the first, 273 00:09:59,330 --> 00:10:01,990 hospital based free grocery store in the country. 274 00:10:02,769 --> 00:10:04,870 And we're looking forward to, 275 00:10:05,649 --> 00:10:07,730 partnering with our patients so that they can 276 00:10:07,730 --> 00:10:08,230 volunteer 277 00:10:08,769 --> 00:10:11,509 and fulfill their work requirements in our, 278 00:10:12,105 --> 00:10:14,424 free grocery stores. So we're looking at a 279 00:10:14,424 --> 00:10:16,345 number of ways on how we can partner 280 00:10:16,345 --> 00:10:18,745 with our community to make sure that they 281 00:10:18,745 --> 00:10:21,784 are not impacted, the food insecurities and some 282 00:10:21,784 --> 00:10:22,504 of the other, 283 00:10:22,904 --> 00:10:24,924 things that the community is facing. 284 00:10:26,080 --> 00:10:27,600 That's amazing to hear. And I I love 285 00:10:27,600 --> 00:10:29,840 that idea of the free grocery store and 286 00:10:29,840 --> 00:10:32,240 and providing that type of resource because those 287 00:10:32,240 --> 00:10:34,320 food insecurities are very real and have such 288 00:10:34,320 --> 00:10:36,980 a huge impact on the health of individuals 289 00:10:37,120 --> 00:10:38,254 as well as families, 290 00:10:38,695 --> 00:10:39,835 and how they're, 291 00:10:40,215 --> 00:10:41,575 really wellness journey, 292 00:10:42,054 --> 00:10:44,215 moves forward. So when you think about that, 293 00:10:44,215 --> 00:10:45,654 the free grocery store, can you tell us 294 00:10:45,654 --> 00:10:47,735 a little bit more about that and, how 295 00:10:47,735 --> 00:10:49,575 you set it up and and where you 296 00:10:49,575 --> 00:10:51,115 see it headed and and growing? 297 00:10:51,570 --> 00:10:53,509 Oh my goodness. We are super excited. 298 00:10:54,129 --> 00:10:56,450 We we are now looking at probably early 299 00:10:56,450 --> 00:10:57,350 summer before, 300 00:10:58,210 --> 00:11:00,769 we are able to open our doors and 301 00:11:00,769 --> 00:11:03,090 and launch that initiative. But the West Side 302 00:11:03,090 --> 00:11:06,230 Of Chicago is is impacted with food insecurities. 303 00:11:06,465 --> 00:11:08,945 We're in a health care, well, we're in 304 00:11:08,945 --> 00:11:10,305 a health care desert, but we're in a 305 00:11:10,305 --> 00:11:11,045 food desert, 306 00:11:11,425 --> 00:11:13,745 and a healthy food desert. And so we 307 00:11:13,745 --> 00:11:16,144 want to make sure that based on the 308 00:11:16,144 --> 00:11:16,884 health care, 309 00:11:17,345 --> 00:11:19,524 needs of the communities, a lot of patients 310 00:11:19,665 --> 00:11:20,565 have diabetes 311 00:11:20,970 --> 00:11:22,429 and do deal with cardiovascular 312 00:11:23,529 --> 00:11:25,289 issues. And so we want to make sure 313 00:11:25,289 --> 00:11:27,769 that we not only are providing food, but 314 00:11:27,769 --> 00:11:30,029 we're also providing healthy food alternatives 315 00:11:30,649 --> 00:11:32,730 to the patients in the community. And so 316 00:11:32,730 --> 00:11:34,034 we hope to launch that 317 00:11:34,434 --> 00:11:34,934 initiative 318 00:11:35,315 --> 00:11:37,235 again in the summer, and there'll be an 319 00:11:37,235 --> 00:11:39,954 educational component tied to that. So we just 320 00:11:39,954 --> 00:11:41,174 don't want to supply, 321 00:11:41,714 --> 00:11:42,774 you know, food. 322 00:11:43,875 --> 00:11:45,334 We want to help individuals, 323 00:11:45,875 --> 00:11:49,289 and educate individuals on the importance of eating 324 00:11:49,289 --> 00:11:50,350 healthy to kinda 325 00:11:50,809 --> 00:11:53,230 decrease some of the comorbidities that the community 326 00:11:53,370 --> 00:11:54,350 is faced with. 327 00:11:55,049 --> 00:11:57,370 So we're, you know, super excited about that 328 00:11:57,370 --> 00:11:57,870 effort. 329 00:11:58,809 --> 00:12:00,649 Got it. That's helpful to understand it. You 330 00:12:00,649 --> 00:12:02,330 know, we'll be looking forward to learning more 331 00:12:02,330 --> 00:12:04,454 as we're able to launch in that following 332 00:12:04,454 --> 00:12:05,434 on its success. 333 00:12:05,894 --> 00:12:06,634 I'm curious, 334 00:12:07,254 --> 00:12:09,495 in general, where hospitals are feeling a lot 335 00:12:09,495 --> 00:12:11,495 of strain right now is looking at staffing 336 00:12:11,495 --> 00:12:11,995 pressures. 337 00:12:12,774 --> 00:12:15,194 Some are having to do cutbacks. Others are, 338 00:12:15,254 --> 00:12:16,954 you know, seeing shortages, 339 00:12:17,334 --> 00:12:19,809 just be exacerbated by the increased demand for 340 00:12:19,809 --> 00:12:21,990 care. And so what are you doing internally 341 00:12:22,209 --> 00:12:24,689 at Loretto Hospital, to really make sure, you 342 00:12:24,689 --> 00:12:27,169 know, you've got a a workforce that's stable 343 00:12:27,169 --> 00:12:29,169 and and addressing some of the wellness needs 344 00:12:29,169 --> 00:12:32,065 of the teen too. Oh oh, absolutely. No. 345 00:12:32,065 --> 00:12:34,865 We already deal safety net hospitals already deal 346 00:12:34,865 --> 00:12:35,365 with, 347 00:12:36,464 --> 00:12:37,445 live you know, 348 00:12:37,825 --> 00:12:40,144 working off of and operating off of, 349 00:12:40,625 --> 00:12:42,004 very lean margins. 350 00:12:43,120 --> 00:12:45,200 And we simply don't have the flexibility to 351 00:12:45,200 --> 00:12:48,399 absorb any level of reduction in in Medicaid 352 00:12:48,399 --> 00:12:49,299 funding because, 353 00:12:49,919 --> 00:12:51,919 you know, the it's a it's a greater 354 00:12:51,919 --> 00:12:54,639 conversation. It's not just our entities are not 355 00:12:54,639 --> 00:12:56,799 just vital to the communities because of the 356 00:12:56,799 --> 00:12:57,860 health care access, 357 00:12:58,235 --> 00:13:00,875 but also because of the economic development that 358 00:13:00,875 --> 00:13:02,954 we do we give to the community. So 359 00:13:02,954 --> 00:13:04,414 Loreto Hospital contributes, 360 00:13:05,514 --> 00:13:07,355 approximately $200,000,000 361 00:13:07,355 --> 00:13:08,495 to the local economy. 362 00:13:08,954 --> 00:13:11,115 If our doors were to close, you're talking 363 00:13:11,115 --> 00:13:14,289 about just shy of 500 individuals that could 364 00:13:14,289 --> 00:13:15,269 lose their jobs 365 00:13:15,730 --> 00:13:17,570 or and what does that do to the 366 00:13:17,570 --> 00:13:20,230 unemployment rates, and what does that do to, 367 00:13:21,090 --> 00:13:23,330 you know, the crime and violence that, you 368 00:13:23,330 --> 00:13:25,909 know, the trends tend to see when unemployment 369 00:13:26,210 --> 00:13:26,534 is, 370 00:13:27,174 --> 00:13:28,074 has skyrocketed. 371 00:13:28,375 --> 00:13:29,034 And so, 372 00:13:30,134 --> 00:13:32,294 the greater picture is looking at both the 373 00:13:32,294 --> 00:13:34,694 health care access and and being committed to 374 00:13:34,694 --> 00:13:36,154 addressing the health care inequity, 375 00:13:36,615 --> 00:13:38,549 but also understanding the value, 376 00:13:39,190 --> 00:13:42,089 that the our institutions bring to the communities 377 00:13:42,149 --> 00:13:43,610 that we serve. And so 378 00:13:43,990 --> 00:13:44,490 workforce, 379 00:13:44,870 --> 00:13:46,970 you know, for us, it's about reinvestment. 380 00:13:47,509 --> 00:13:49,929 I think I'm a true testimony and testament 381 00:13:50,070 --> 00:13:50,570 to 382 00:13:50,914 --> 00:13:53,334 having grown up within the organization 383 00:13:53,714 --> 00:13:56,355 and being able to move into this new 384 00:13:56,355 --> 00:13:59,154 leadership role. And so what we wanna do 385 00:13:59,154 --> 00:14:00,754 is we know our we know our team 386 00:14:00,754 --> 00:14:02,914 members are our greatest asset, and we want 387 00:14:02,914 --> 00:14:05,649 them to work at their highest level of 388 00:14:05,649 --> 00:14:06,230 of certifications 389 00:14:06,610 --> 00:14:07,669 and and capability. 390 00:14:07,970 --> 00:14:10,049 And we wanna we we want to invest 391 00:14:10,049 --> 00:14:12,230 in them. A lot of times, we see 392 00:14:12,450 --> 00:14:14,929 our workforce are in positions not, you know, 393 00:14:14,929 --> 00:14:15,615 out of necessity 394 00:14:16,575 --> 00:14:17,634 dream for their lives. 395 00:14:18,014 --> 00:14:20,274 And so we want to support our team, 396 00:14:20,735 --> 00:14:23,475 in that in every effort, in every phase, 397 00:14:24,014 --> 00:14:25,315 so that they can live, 398 00:14:25,855 --> 00:14:27,855 the the life that they dream for themselves 399 00:14:27,855 --> 00:14:29,375 and that they can move and grow within 400 00:14:29,375 --> 00:14:30,914 the organization like myself. 401 00:14:31,809 --> 00:14:33,250 I love that. I I think it's so 402 00:14:33,250 --> 00:14:35,649 critical to have that model, that you are 403 00:14:35,649 --> 00:14:37,970 of growing within the organization and, you know, 404 00:14:37,970 --> 00:14:40,529 achieving now the the highest position within the 405 00:14:40,529 --> 00:14:42,769 hospital, which is so so impressive and a 406 00:14:42,769 --> 00:14:43,750 meaningful journey. 407 00:14:44,274 --> 00:14:45,715 And, you know, when you think about that 408 00:14:45,715 --> 00:14:48,514 pipeline and uplifting your team and and making 409 00:14:48,514 --> 00:14:51,475 sure that, you know, talent continues to grow 410 00:14:51,475 --> 00:14:53,875 and flourish there, is what do you do, 411 00:14:53,875 --> 00:14:55,315 or how do you make sure you've got 412 00:14:55,315 --> 00:14:57,659 a a strong pipeline of leaders around you, 413 00:14:58,220 --> 00:14:59,980 so that, you know, no matter what, the 414 00:14:59,980 --> 00:15:01,519 organization can drive? 415 00:15:02,379 --> 00:15:04,139 Sure. I I think it's important to make 416 00:15:04,139 --> 00:15:05,659 sure that, you know, you you have a 417 00:15:05,899 --> 00:15:07,899 you set out, you know, always first, put 418 00:15:07,899 --> 00:15:09,600 the mission first. Right? 419 00:15:10,459 --> 00:15:12,940 What why are we here, and making sure 420 00:15:12,940 --> 00:15:15,815 that we maintain that several same level of 421 00:15:15,815 --> 00:15:17,035 commitment and dedication. 422 00:15:17,975 --> 00:15:19,975 And then really getting the buy in from 423 00:15:19,975 --> 00:15:21,894 not just your leadership team, but as well 424 00:15:21,894 --> 00:15:24,054 as your team members. Where are we going 425 00:15:24,054 --> 00:15:26,309 as as an organization and 426 00:15:27,269 --> 00:15:27,750 allowing, 427 00:15:28,230 --> 00:15:29,450 them to be a process 428 00:15:29,830 --> 00:15:31,289 to be a part of the process 429 00:15:31,669 --> 00:15:33,750 of us reimagining who we want to be 430 00:15:33,750 --> 00:15:34,570 in the future. 431 00:15:35,110 --> 00:15:36,710 I think that's how you get, 432 00:15:37,269 --> 00:15:39,134 individuals committed to the work, 433 00:15:40,014 --> 00:15:42,815 where you see longevity. We've been fortunate to 434 00:15:42,815 --> 00:15:43,315 have 435 00:15:43,695 --> 00:15:45,455 a number of team members that have been 436 00:15:45,455 --> 00:15:47,615 with our institution. One was here upwards of 437 00:15:47,615 --> 00:15:49,875 fifty years. He started when he was 18 438 00:15:50,495 --> 00:15:51,794 and retired after, 439 00:15:52,617 --> 00:15:54,539 just a little over fifty years. And so 440 00:15:54,539 --> 00:15:55,720 a lot of our employees, 441 00:15:56,100 --> 00:15:58,500 they love to to work where they live. 442 00:15:58,500 --> 00:16:00,279 I think that's important that we, 443 00:16:01,299 --> 00:16:03,539 hire from the community, that we're supporting the 444 00:16:03,539 --> 00:16:04,039 community 445 00:16:04,419 --> 00:16:07,240 in that, f in that vein as well. 446 00:16:07,595 --> 00:16:10,955 And so our workforce is critically important. Our 447 00:16:10,955 --> 00:16:14,235 leadership team is critically important to to the 448 00:16:14,235 --> 00:16:16,715 work that we're doing. And and, again, it's 449 00:16:16,715 --> 00:16:17,934 about being heard. 450 00:16:18,394 --> 00:16:19,215 It's about 451 00:16:19,595 --> 00:16:21,054 being a part of the process. 452 00:16:21,940 --> 00:16:23,160 This cannot happen, 453 00:16:23,779 --> 00:16:24,840 with one individual. 454 00:16:25,860 --> 00:16:27,940 The CEO does not have a wave of 455 00:16:27,940 --> 00:16:30,519 magic wand and everything works. It is the 456 00:16:30,740 --> 00:16:32,600 collective effort and collaboration, 457 00:16:33,779 --> 00:16:35,855 of a leadership team along with all the 458 00:16:35,855 --> 00:16:38,495 team members with the within the organization sharing 459 00:16:38,495 --> 00:16:39,235 that vision 460 00:16:39,615 --> 00:16:40,095 for, 461 00:16:40,574 --> 00:16:41,714 our service delivery 462 00:16:42,174 --> 00:16:44,274 and for our future goals and dreams. 463 00:16:45,214 --> 00:16:47,054 I love that. Thank you so much for 464 00:16:47,054 --> 00:16:49,919 for joining us on the podcast today. It's 465 00:16:49,919 --> 00:16:51,299 been such a fun conversation. 466 00:16:52,879 --> 00:16:54,740 Deysa, one more question for you. 467 00:16:55,120 --> 00:16:57,759 When you look into the future and as 468 00:16:57,759 --> 00:17:00,080 safety net hospitals continue to to grow and 469 00:17:00,080 --> 00:17:02,115 evolve, what advice do you have for other 470 00:17:02,514 --> 00:17:04,674 executives and leaders as they're trying to look 471 00:17:04,674 --> 00:17:06,515 out and and really seeing a lot of 472 00:17:06,515 --> 00:17:08,434 challenges in front of them? What do you, 473 00:17:08,755 --> 00:17:10,934 do to make sure that you are focused 474 00:17:11,154 --> 00:17:12,595 in in the right place? What advice do 475 00:17:12,595 --> 00:17:14,595 you have for them to kind of navigate 476 00:17:14,595 --> 00:17:15,974 these challenging waters? 477 00:17:16,779 --> 00:17:18,299 Oh, I I I think it's time for 478 00:17:18,299 --> 00:17:20,779 us to be intentional and innovative in health 479 00:17:20,779 --> 00:17:23,839 care reform for safety net, systems and community 480 00:17:23,900 --> 00:17:24,400 hospitals. 481 00:17:25,019 --> 00:17:26,859 Not just funding that gets us through the 482 00:17:26,859 --> 00:17:29,279 year, but support that allows us to stabilize 483 00:17:29,339 --> 00:17:30,079 our operations, 484 00:17:30,634 --> 00:17:31,535 to build sustainability 485 00:17:32,154 --> 00:17:33,455 and increase capacity. 486 00:17:34,394 --> 00:17:37,215 Doing some advocacy with your, local 487 00:17:37,595 --> 00:17:38,735 and and elected officials, 488 00:17:39,115 --> 00:17:41,535 making sure that they really understand the 489 00:17:41,994 --> 00:17:42,575 the operational 490 00:17:43,355 --> 00:17:45,890 of how safety nets are are one paid. 491 00:17:45,890 --> 00:17:47,670 We're paid on a very integrated, 492 00:17:48,529 --> 00:17:50,529 funding formula, which I think needs to be 493 00:17:50,529 --> 00:17:52,390 addressed, and we need to do some advocacy 494 00:17:52,529 --> 00:17:54,390 around that. But, again, 495 00:17:55,089 --> 00:17:57,589 doing the advocacy, telling your stories, 496 00:17:58,855 --> 00:18:00,934 sharing the data in terms of the lives 497 00:18:00,934 --> 00:18:02,234 that you've impacted, 498 00:18:02,774 --> 00:18:05,815 and, again, growing your your service lines. If 499 00:18:05,815 --> 00:18:08,075 we continue to cut and chop away, 500 00:18:08,454 --> 00:18:08,954 unfortunately, 501 00:18:09,974 --> 00:18:11,434 those health care disparities 502 00:18:12,240 --> 00:18:14,640 will will continue to grow. And so for 503 00:18:14,640 --> 00:18:16,720 me, I firmly believe that the antidote for 504 00:18:16,720 --> 00:18:19,299 communities in crisis is access and investment. 505 00:18:20,079 --> 00:18:21,859 I think transformative investment 506 00:18:22,160 --> 00:18:23,140 allows us 507 00:18:23,599 --> 00:18:26,400 to to really grow and to create a 508 00:18:26,400 --> 00:18:26,900 sustainability 509 00:18:27,359 --> 00:18:29,414 model that will see us for the next 510 00:18:29,414 --> 00:18:31,095 one hundred years, see us through the next 511 00:18:31,095 --> 00:18:32,154 one hundred years. 512 00:18:32,855 --> 00:18:34,375 I love that. Keesa, thank you so much 513 00:18:34,375 --> 00:18:36,054 for joining us on the podcast today. This 514 00:18:36,054 --> 00:18:38,154 has been such a a fun and inspiring 515 00:18:38,214 --> 00:18:40,214 conversation, and I look forward to connecting with 516 00:18:40,214 --> 00:18:42,535 you again soon. Thank you. Thank you, Laura. 517 00:18:42,535 --> 00:18:43,744 Thank you for having me.