(From our most recent 2008 Annual Report to the Community)

2008 Report to Our Community
James L. Daily, President
Porter Medical Center, Inc.

PORTER HOSPITAL

“The changing of the guard” is a phrase that captures one of the key elements of the past year at Porter. We are at a critical time in the history of our organization in many ways—including the recent or imminent retirement of several key members of our medical staff—and the vital need to identify and recruit the next generation of physicians to fill these important positions.

Illustrating this page, for example, is a photo taken following the retirement party for Dr. Robert LaFiandra—who served this community for nearly 40 years. With his unwavering commitment to his patients and to Porter Medical Center, finding someone to fill his shoes (sandals?)—is a very tall order. I am extremely pleased to report that we met with some great success in this area over the past twelve months, as we welcomed several new physicians to our Porter Practice Management team of specialists and primary care providers. Although additional efforts will be needed in the years ahead to continue to facilitate a smooth and appropriate transition during this period of change, I have been gratified by our success to date and encouraged by the efforts of our Porter Practice Management department to find outstanding health care professionals to serve our community.

As you read this annual report, you will learn more about the specific achievements and challenges we have encountered over the past twelve months—and I hope you are as proud as I am of the health care professionals and other support staff who devote themselves to providing outstanding services to the people of our region.

The Addison County Chamber of Commerce at their 2008 Annual Meeting recognized these efforts, as Porter was given the first “Community Service Award”—the highest recognition for a notfor- profit organization in our community. In presenting this award, Chamber board president Robert Huth referenced the investments Porter has made in new technology, facilities and programs to serve our neighbors and improve the health status of our communities.

As I conclude my 25th year as President of Porter Medical Center and look forward to working with my colleagues and board members to further strengthen our organization in the year ahead, I do so with a sense of pride and sincere appreciation to the people of our region for their support in so many ways.

Sincerely,

James L Daily
President

The day to day operation of Porter Hospital involves a variety of routine patient care services ranging from emergency department visits….maternity services….medical/surgicalinpatient care…. ancillary tests and imaging/radiology procedures….all of the things that one would expect to happen in a small community hospital. But there is much that happens “behind the scenes” and “above and beyond” routine patient care that allows Porter to fulfill its mission and provide high quality health care services.

Investments in New Technology

For example, the acquisition of new state-of-the art equipment provides our clinical staff with the tools they need to diagnose and treat medical conditions early and with the highest degree of accuracy. Our new 64-slice CT scanner is a good example of how a rural community hospital can offer our patients access to imaging services that rival even the academic medical centers in our region. Porter Hospital Porter?

The acquisition of a new bone densitometry system is another example of Porter providing our staff with a tool that provides the image quality, accuracy and precision required for earlier diagnosis of osteoporosis. “The acquisition of these new imaging tools delivers to our physicians unprecedented image detail and resolution” according to Radiology Manager Chris LaPointe.

Health Promotion and Community Outreach

Beyond new equipment, Porter Hospital introduced or expanded several programs and community services that endeavor to promote healthy behavior through education, exercise and preventative services.

A new Cardiac Wellness Program, established in 2008, helps participants make heart healthy lifestyle changes that last. The program, under the direction of Dr. Andrea Fossati, introduces participants to strategies involving exercise, stress management and nutrition.

Our ongoing “Quit Tobacco Program” integrates classroom instruction, 1-1 coaching, stress management groups and other resources to support community members who are ready to take this important step.

Beyond the walls of the hospital, Porter has taken our community health outreach efforts to area businesses and, most recently, to the Addison County Fair and Field Days event in collaboration with the Open Door Clinic and the Addison County Tobacco Roundtable. The free screenings for cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure, as well as the smoking cessation counseling, attracted well over 100 individuals.

Medical Office Building

Finally, the hospital acquired the Physician Office Building (adjacent to the Emergency Department) during fiscal year 2008. The hospital board determined that it was strategically important for the hospital to have ownership of this facility as we prepare for key transitions and ongoing recruitment efforts to ensure an adequate number of physicians and mid level providers to meet the health care needs of our patients.