Annual Report

On behalf of South County Health’s Administration, the Board of Trustees, and the Medical Staff, we are pleased to present our Annual Report for the Fiscal Year ending September 30th, 2022. Just as we are transforming our organization to better serve our community, we are also transforming the way we deliver information to you, as we present a digital annual report for the first time.

We are again excited to share more about what makes South County Health a critical community asset, and we are honored to serve as your Most Trusted Health Partner.

In October 2022, the South County Medical Staff welcomed Dr. Robert Bierwirth as their President. Dr. Bierwirth’s commitment to the community extends beyond his exceptional patient care. He believes deeply in our mission and vision, partnering tirelessly with administration and staff to develop systems and an environment of care that delivers high-quality outcomes, exceptional patient experiences, and innovative advancements in community-based healthcare.

During Fiscal Year 2022, the Rhode Island healthcare delivery system experienced unprecedented financial hardships as it embarked on its recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Cumulatively, Rhode Island’s not-for-profit healthcare delivery systems lost nearly $150 million from operations alone.

During these unprecedented times, we are extraordinarily proud of our courageous and hardworking staff, volunteers, and leadership team members who have risen to the challenges with unparalleled unity. They have continued to step up, again and again, to serve our community, often through exhaustion, with remarkable degrees of empathy, compassion, commitment, and professionalism, ensuring the health and safety of our patients. South County Health is blessed to have such dedicated staff, volunteers, and leadership team members, and we thank them for truly embodying our values of Integrity, Caring, Respect, Excellence, Partnership, and Stewardship, even during the most challenging times. That is why, now more than ever, we are focused on supporting the health and wellness of our incredible staff at South County Health, while recruiting talented newcomers to bolster our teams.

It is because of our staff and volunteers that South County Health has been able to serve our community with exceptional care, regularly being ranked among the top hospitals and health systems in the country for patient experience. During Fiscal Year 2022, South County Hospital was once again the only hospital in the state to receive the prestigious HX Guardian of Excellence Award from Press Ganey. In addition, we maintained the highest scores possible from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and Leapfrog, among others. We have expanded and enhanced operations through new geographies and digital spaces, making it more convenient for patients to receive exceptional care while integrating services that connect our community across the continuum.

As we continue to modernize our facilities and make strategic investments in advanced technologies, we aim to continue to differentiate ourselves as a Model Health System. Realizing our vision will not be accomplished alone. South County Health is grateful for the support of our patients and like-minded donors, business partners, and others who routinely give their time, trust, and treasures in support of our relentless pursuit of excellence. We appreciate the community’s continued support and urge you to send messages to our caregivers, not only during times of crisis, but in affirmation of the extraordinary experiences you have with our services.

As community projects and advocacy efforts move ahead, please consider sending supportive messages to elected officials underscoring just how important South County Health’s services are to this community. It is through that continued support and your investments in critical services, infrastructures, and technologies, that we are able to continue to deliver on our mission to be your Most Trusted Health Partner as we build a resilient future. We Thank You!

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Aaron Robinson
President and CEO

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Joseph F. Matthews
Chairman | Board of Trustees

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Robert Bierwirth, M.D.
President of the Medical Staff

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Our dedication to quality care has earned South County Hospital the distinction of being the ONLY hospital in the Northeast, and one of only 19 nationally, to be awarded a “5-Star Rating” from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid in both Hospital Quality and Patient Experience.

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At South County Health, we are stewards of your health. We want you to maintain or achieve optimal health so together, we can create a healthier, more vibrant community. Our community benefit initiatives and collective health improvement efforts with diverse partner organizations, are one way that we demonstrate our commitment to the health of the South County community.

In 2022, South County Health developed a three-year Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) to guide community benefit and population health improvement activities across South County. The CHIP builds upon previous health improvement activities, while recognizing new health needs identified in the 2022 Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA), a changing healthcare environment, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Goals, objectives, and strategies from the 2022-2025 CHIP are outlined below. In developing the CHIP, South County Health sought to focus on upstream interventions to address social determinants of health barriers and advance health equity for our communities. Goals, objectives, and strategies from the 2022-2025 CHIP are outlined below.

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

GOAL: Strengthen and support community initiatives that increase awareness of behavioral health, improve access to treatment, and promote wellness, recovery, and resilience.

• Reduce behavioral health stigma and fear of seeking treatment.
• Improve access to high quality behavioral health services and supports along a full continuum of care.
• Reinforce behavioral health as a chronic condition.

CHRONIC DISEASE

GOAL: Achieve equitable life expectancy and quality of life for all people by ensuring all residents have the resources they need to maintain their health.

• Promote healthy living for residents through all stages of life, with a focus on addressing social determinants of health barriers.

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