Message from the 2012 MiSHE President Hello MiSHE members, associates and fellow health care professionals. I’m honored and humbled to serve as the 2012 MiSHE President. The healthcare systems in our country have never been in such a state of uncertainty. New technologies that require more space, better power and cooler temperatures are great for maintaining market share but it’s a facility manager’s nightmare. Throw in the increased patient/customer demands for private rooms, and more hotel-like amenities and the typical 30 year old structures and infrastructures present incredible challenges. I can recall in 1984 when DRG’s were being implemented, hospitals couldn’t imagine how they could upgrade capital needs or even keep their doors open. Somehow we trimmed costs, re-thought operating and capital needs and learned to think and be leaner. Given that our government doesn’t even know how much of the Obama-healthcare format will actually be implemented, healthcare organizations are faced with the need to cut expenses as much as possible in hopes that it will be enough at the end of the day. The reality is that our industry will see considerable increases mergers and unfortunately, hospital closures. The stress all of this puts on facilities manager is immense. Sure we are used to doing more with less, a term we have come to accept (yet hate). Little or no capital funds, loss of FTE’s and operating budget coupled with increased operating costs and aging infrastructure is a prime recipe for networking. MiSHE and ASHE are clearly the most effective means for staying up on codes and standards, trends and how-to’s. I encourage each of you to increase your involvement in MiSHE by sharing what is working and what is not for your organization. In times of challenge and uncertainty, WE are our own best resources! I’m told that as president, I should come up with two or three presidential objectives for my one-year term. I have no problem coming up with three objectives, the problem will be how to achieve them. Maybe that’s where you come in! Objective number one is to ensure transparency throughout the Society. Every member should understand what is done and why. The second objective is to encourage the use of YAK and web-based educational opportunities for members. The third objective is to promote and grow membership of the Michigan Association for Healthcare Environment (MAHE). You may have noticed that I was careful not to use my, me or I relative to these objectives. That’s because I cannot meet any of them on my own. Each one will require assistance from MiSHE members. I will close with our Mission & Vision Statements and a sincere thanks for being part of this valuable organization. Mission Statement: “To promote better patient care through improved engineering practices.” Vision Statement: “To empower members to individually and collectively improve the healthcare environment.” Terry M. Bennett Director of Facilities Northern Michigan Regional Hospital 416 Connable Ave. Petoskey, MI 49770 Phone: 231.487.4125 Fax: 231.487.7790 Email: tbennett@northernhealth.org |
|