Over the past year, more patients than ever have sought medical care through the Crozer-Keystone Health System, by using our hospitals and physician offices and taking advantage of our emergency and outpatient services. This fact reminds us of the depth of the commitment we have made to the families of Delaware County.

Every day, CKHS employees work with a single vision: providing the best possible health care for people whom we view not just as “patients” or “consumers,” but as neighbors and friends. At the same time, our commitment extends beyond delivering health care. We believe we have a wider responsibility to make a positive impact on all people in our community, both socially and economically.

Over the past months, for example, CKHS has worked hard to convince our elected officials in Harrisburg to restore funding to cover the costs of caring for patients on Medicaid. In Delaware County, nearly one in 10 residents is insured by Medicaid, and the proposed cuts would have been devastating. Although we have achieved some success for this year, long-term questions about the fate of Medicaid remain. We hope to see our government begin planning for the long-term viability of a program that provides an essential safety net for people who could not otherwise afford health care, both in our community and in communities throughout Pennsylvania. 

In this CKHS Medicine, you will read about our efforts to serve people in all parts of Delaware County. The Crozer Medical Plaza at Brinton Lake in Glen Mills, Pa., has brought high-quality health care to families in western Delaware County. This beautiful new facility, which houses physicians in a range of specialties, aims to give patients and their families a unique experience based upon convenience and personal attention. We’re also continuously improving our existing facilities, the most recent example a complete renovation of the admissions area and lobby at Delaware County Memorial Hospital. These and other construction projects also make a significant impact on the local economy, as CKHS seeks the expertise, manpower, and supplies needed to create modern facilities.

This issue also features the CKHS Healthy Start program, which received a $2.7 million grant from the Department of Health and Human Services to advance its important work with pregnant women, parents, and caregivers in various communities in Delaware County. We have an obligation to do what we can to make sure that our youngest residents get off to a good start in life. Reaching out to their parents and guardians with health care services and information is an essential first step.

As you read about these and other efforts, we hope you will find that, ultimately, everything we do is about helping people—of all ages, all backgrounds, all socioeconomic groups. As Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer, we are proud of that mission, and we are proud to work with the thousands of employees who help us meet the needs of families every day.