Martha Henley on Bringing Rural Healthcare Services Back Home and Building a Sustainable Future
Becker’s Healthcare PodcastSummary
Hospital leaders face significant challenges, including market consolidation, reimbursement pressures, and workforce issues. At the 14th annual CEO CFO Roundtable, over 1,500 executives gather to discuss strategies to navigate these complexities and prepare for the upcoming year.
Martha Henley, CEO of Unity Medical Center in Manchester, Tennessee, reports a positive trend for her facility, with a 9% increase in admissions and a 19% rise in average daily census. Unity has successfully reintroduced several service lines, such as orthopedics and chronic care management, and has improved emergency care through telestroke services. Looking ahead, Henley prioritizes re-establishing urology services, enhancing revenue cycle management, and effectively utilizing grant funding to sustain operations.
Despite these successes, Henley identifies headwinds, particularly related to Medicare Advantage plans and workforce depth. The hospital's reliance on preauthorizations for patient transfers poses operational challenges, while maintaining a stable workforce remains critical in a rural setting. Henley emphasizes the importance of building trust within the community and ensuring that patients receive timely care to prevent health issues from escalating.
Henley draws inspiration from her grandfather's values, highlighting the significance of trust and respect in leadership. Her commitment to improving local healthcare access reflects a broader trend among rural hospitals striving to retain patients and provide essential services within their communities.
Show Notes
In this episode, Martha Henley, Chief Executive Officer, Unity Medical Center, discusses expanding access to care in rural communities, restoring specialty services locally and strengthening hospital operations. She shares how Unity Medical Center is navigating workforce challenges, reimbursement pressures and growth opportunities while keeping patients at the center.
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