In a message on his health system's website, Elliot Sussman, MD, likens Lehigh Valley Health Network's model of care to a tricycle — the smaller, rear wheels of education and research powering the larger, front wheel of patient care. It's an apt analogy, considering the hospital's track record for quality patient care under the tutelage of the country's finest teaching physicians. During Dr. Sussman's tenure, Lehigh Valley Hospital has been ranked one of America's Best Hospitals by U.S. News & World Report for 11 consecutive years.
Dr. Sussman is currently president and CEO of Lehigh Valley Health Network based in Allentown, Pa., a position he has held since 1993. Interestingly, LVHN's "tricycle" model of care also fits with the health network's dedication to the young members of the surrounding community. Under Dr. Sussman's leadership, LVH Network was recently recognized for its work to improve the community's health with an award from the American Hospital Association, which rewards facilities whose actions surpass traditional hospital care.
The network's efforts include Miles of Smiles, a mobile dental van that brings a dentist's office to neighborhoods and Camp Red Jacket, a free day camp for children with Type 1 diabetes. Many of the community outreach programs look past traditional medical care; Communities in Schools reaches out to adolescents at risk for dropping out of school.
Commenting on LVHN's recognition, Richard Umbdenstock, AHA president and CEO, said, "When you serve your community, as Lehigh Valley Health Network does, everyone is made better and gains strength from the connection."
Dr. Sussman has served as president and CEO of LVHN since 1993. He has also served as a Leonard Park Pool Professor of Health Systems Management, professor of medicine and professor of health evaluation sciences at Pennsylvania State University's College of Medicine in University Park.
A contemporary renaissance man, Dr. Sussman serves on the boards of the Allentown Art Museum, Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival and Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation, among others. He is chairman of the board of Health Quality Partners, as well as chairman-elect of the Administrative Board of the Council of Teaching Hospitals.
A New Jersey native, Dr. Sussman received his MD from Harvard University and his MBA from Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. He completed his residency at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and his fellowship in general medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.
Read more on notable hospital leaders:
-Hospital Leader to Know: George Halvorson, CEO of Kaiser Foundation Hospitals and Health Plan
-Hospital Leader to Know: Trevor Fetter, CEO of Tenet Healthcare Corporation
Dr. Sussman is currently president and CEO of Lehigh Valley Health Network based in Allentown, Pa., a position he has held since 1993. Interestingly, LVHN's "tricycle" model of care also fits with the health network's dedication to the young members of the surrounding community. Under Dr. Sussman's leadership, LVH Network was recently recognized for its work to improve the community's health with an award from the American Hospital Association, which rewards facilities whose actions surpass traditional hospital care.
The network's efforts include Miles of Smiles, a mobile dental van that brings a dentist's office to neighborhoods and Camp Red Jacket, a free day camp for children with Type 1 diabetes. Many of the community outreach programs look past traditional medical care; Communities in Schools reaches out to adolescents at risk for dropping out of school.
Commenting on LVHN's recognition, Richard Umbdenstock, AHA president and CEO, said, "When you serve your community, as Lehigh Valley Health Network does, everyone is made better and gains strength from the connection."
Dr. Sussman has served as president and CEO of LVHN since 1993. He has also served as a Leonard Park Pool Professor of Health Systems Management, professor of medicine and professor of health evaluation sciences at Pennsylvania State University's College of Medicine in University Park.
A contemporary renaissance man, Dr. Sussman serves on the boards of the Allentown Art Museum, Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival and Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation, among others. He is chairman of the board of Health Quality Partners, as well as chairman-elect of the Administrative Board of the Council of Teaching Hospitals.
A New Jersey native, Dr. Sussman received his MD from Harvard University and his MBA from Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. He completed his residency at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and his fellowship in general medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.
Read more on notable hospital leaders:
-Hospital Leader to Know: George Halvorson, CEO of Kaiser Foundation Hospitals and Health Plan
-Hospital Leader to Know: Trevor Fetter, CEO of Tenet Healthcare Corporation