Greetings Memphis Medical News readers, and welcome to InCharge Healthcare 2016, a well-received and unique directory of healthcare executives in the greater Memphis area. Ask any of them and they will tell you that their number one objective is to continue to provide top-notch quality patient care. However, in their next breath, they will express concern over being able to provide that kind of care in the midst of the financial pressure that the healthcare industry is under today. That’s why we made this the main topic of our interview with the five Memphis healthcare executives who grace our cover this year.
David Archer leads one of the largest for-profit hospitals in the Mid-South area, and his contributions to our local medical community go way beyond his 18 year tenure at Saint Francis Memphis.
Literally the entire world looks to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for the latest research and treatment of childhood cancer and other catastrophic diseases. Dr. James Downing gives us a global perspective on the growth and goals of this fine organization.
Our story would not be complete if we did not get the perspective of the medical practice administrators among us, and who better to ask about this than Kathy Hunt, the regional director of business development and physician services at the West Clinic and Cancer Center? Hunt is stepping up to the plate in 2016 to lead the Mid-South Medical Group Management Association, the largest chapter of MGMA in the state.
Dr. Eric Benink of Regional One Health gives us a physician’s perspective on running a healthcare organization today using his background and love of aviation as a teaching tool.
And finally, the Reverend Keith Norman brings his unique perspective as one who interacts with our legislators to achieve the goal of healthcare coverage for the greatest number of people in our community.
Appropriately enough, the cover photo was shot next to the huge old vault in the basement of One Commerce Square in downtown Memphis, once the home of one of the most beautiful bank lobbies in the Mid-South. And while the vault is still in the basement, the lobby has changed, much like the financial issues now confronting – and sometimes confounding – healthcare today.
So please enjoy our cover story, written by noted financial journalist James Dowd. There is plenty of food for thought, concern and deep pride in our local medical community.
Pamela Harris
Market Publisher
Memphis – West Tennessee – Arkansas
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