In an interview with strategy+business, Robert Henkel, president and CEO of Ascension Health, the healthcare delivery subsidiary of St. Louis-based Ascension, describes why he believes faith-based healthcare organizations are uniquely poised to thrive in the evolving healthcare environment.
As part of PwC's 2016 CEO Survey, strategy+business talked to Mr. Henkel in late 2015 to dig deeper into how a faith-based health system can remain relevant amid the rapid disruption taking place in the industry.
Here are three key takeaways from the interview.
1. Faith-based health systems already focus on inclusion and partnering with community organizations, a central element of many population health management efforts. In his visit to the U.S. last year, Pope Francis talked about the fact that faith-based organizations have a responsibility to overcome disparities, said Mr. Henkel. "Ascension, as a faith‑based organization — and as one that is dedicated to treating people without regard to background, and without regard to faith perspective — has the ability, because of that social conscience, to be a bridge in the communities that it serves," he said, according to the report.
2. They are seasoned collaborators. With the industry's emphasis on coordination and team-based care delivery, the ability to collaborate effectively is essential to hospitals' and health systems' success today, according to Mr. Henkel. While he says collaboration has not traditionally been "embedded in our industry," faith-based organizations have been working with other religious partners for years.
"In our case, as a Catholic‑based organization, we try to collaborate with Catholic Charities and local parishes," he told strategy+business. "We seek to interact in a way that raises the value of the services we offer and that increases our ability to serve the community. This, in turn, helps to meet the broader needs of people in a different way."
3. Employees of faith-based organizations may be more resilient to burn out. According to Mr. Henkel, Ascension has a competitive advantage because its faith-based mission "provides a centering and a calmness for our associates." With the help of supportive programs — such as employee retreats and other offerings — "Our associates have joy in treating people, even with all of the frustrations and craziness that may reflect uncertainties in the environment," said Mr. Henkel, according to the report.
To read the full interview, click here.