When it comes to maintaining a healthy community, Lancaster General takes its mission of advancing the health and well-being of the communities of Lancaster very seriously. In addition to caring for people when they are ill, we strive to help them achieve their optimal level of health through all stages of life.
We recognize that alone, we cannot improve the quality of life for the people we serve. We must collaborate with other community organizations and healthcare providers, working together as partners for a healthier community.
Following a comprehensive study of the health issues that affect you most and how to address them, four priorities emerged as our focus for action: access to healthcare, prevention and reduction of tobacco use, healthy weight management, and increased support for domestic violence prevention.
Access to Healthcare
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BreatheWell: Robin Harclerode, chair, Radiography Program,
Lancaster General College of Nursing & Health Sciences, was
among the 400 Lancaster General employees and their spouses
who participated in the BreatheWell smoking cessation program.
The comprehensive tobacco-free initiative is improving the health
of all system employees and those who visit our facilities by creating
an environment that promotes tobacco-free living. |
To address the healthcare needs of the underserved throughout Lancaster County, we are participating in a communitywide partnership called Project Access Lancaster County (PALCO). This physician-led effort brings together more than 650 primary care physicians and specialists, pharmacists, hospitals, healthcare professionals, the Lancaster City and County Medical Society, and local not-for-profit agencies to provide free medical care for low-income, uninsured individuals. More than 700 people have benefited from this effort to date.
Lancaster General is firmly committed to providing healthcare to all, regardless of one’s ability to pay. During the past 12 months, we’ve identified the need to expand access to care within the city of Lancaster, where there’s a high concentration of people in need. To improve access, we and SouthEast Lancaster Health Services are exploring the possibility of building a larger facility to meet this area’s growing demand for healthcare.
Preventing and Reducing Tobacco Use
As a founding member of the Tobacco-Free Coalition of Lancaster County, Lancaster General is dedicated to decreasing tobacco use, as well as the illness and death related to its use in our community.
Together, members of the coalition serve in our schools, at the workplace and throughout local organizations, identifying needs and programs designed to make Lancaster a tobacco-free community. Since the inception of this coalition, the rate of tobacco use in adults in Lancaster has dropped from 23 to 18 percent.
In January 2008, we unveiled BreatheWell, a comprehensive tobacco-free initiative designed to improve the health of our employees and everyone who visits our facilities. BreatheWell also encompasses a variety of smoking cessation programs that help those who wish to quit.
Healthy Weight Management
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Youth Wellness Program: Seventh grader Deja Manning is one of
20 middle school-age girls and boys participating in the Youth
Wellness Program directed by Concerned Black Men (CBM).
Lancaster General sponsors the program, which encourages kids to
reach and maintain a healthy weight. The children meet three
Saturdays a month for lessons on healthy eating and activity time. |
Obesity has climbed to epidemic proportions in the United States, a health problem that must be addressed through collaborative efforts of the entire community. Lancaster General is working closely with several partners to reduce the obesity trend locally, even as obesity across the nation is on the rise.
Today, nearly 60 percent of Lancaster’s adults are overweight or obese.
As the convener and facilitator of “Lighten Up Lancaster County,” we are part of a coalition spearheading the local effort to educate the community about the health risks associated with physical inactivity and poor nutrition. The coalition’s 250 individuals from a cross-section of the community meet monthly and are currently forming action teams in four areas: the workplace, community, schools, and healthcare providers.
Increased Support for Domestic Violence Prevention
Nearly a third of all American women will experience domestic violence in their lifetime. And, more than 15 percent of domestic violence victims are men. To change this, Lancaster General is working closely with local organizations to educated the community about this major public health concern.
As a healthcare provider, we are well aware that in order to achieve good health, people must first feel safe. Over the course of the past year, we also expanded our domestic-violence screening and referral throughout the health system. We have provided staff with specialized training on how to offer confidential support, resources and information to patients disclosing abuse.
Supporting our community's health and financial needs
In keeping with Lancaster General’s commitment to our community, we invite you to review the financial
summary of our Community Benefit Report. Because a healthy community extends beyond healthcare, we support local governments, school districts and community improvement initiatives in addition to helping those who are medically underserved.
Lancaster General provides assistance and services to public and private partners throughout Lancaster County. Last year, this assistance totaled more than $50 million.*
Supporting the City of Lancaster
In 2007-08, Lancaster General continued its direct financial support of Lancaster City government by providing $1.2 million in cash. The funding is in addition to what we pay in city property taxes
(see chart right).
Supporting the School District of Lancaster
Lancaster General’s direct financial support of the School District of Lancaster began more than a decade ago. In 2007-08, Lancaster General provided more than $1.2 million in cash and health services for students of every age and school district employees.
The funding is in addition to what we pay in property taxes to the school district (see chart right). Among other things, our support helps students stay healthy, enhances access to primary healthcare and provides an entry point toward rewarding careers in healthcare.
Caring for All in the Community
Lancaster General provides care to anyone, regardless of their financial means. The following summary describes the cost of providing healthcare services to people with little or no ability to pay:
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$46.19 million - Unpaid cost of healthcare services provided by Lancaster General to financially disadvantaged people enrolled in state insurance programs for healthcare services to other financially disadvantaged patient.
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$5.2 million - Unpaid cost to train promising physicians, nurses technicians and other healthcare professionals who care for future generations of county residents
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$4 million - Cost of medical care provided by Lancaster General for patients with little or no health insurance
Payment of Property Taxes
All properties within the city and county owned by LGH and its affiliates (excluding the main hospital
campus on Duke Street and Women & Babies Hospital) are fully maintained on the tax rolls – even when such properties are used to further our charitable mission, rendering them legally tax-exempt.
This ensures that Lancaster General pays about $1.65 million in additional tax revenue that is then provided to several local municipalities and school districts.
Lancaster General Leadership (as of 10/14/08)
Lancaster General is a not-for-profit health system led by community and business leaders from throughout Lancaster County. They volunteer their time and expertise, and provide vision to ensure that the healthcare services we deliver reflect the values and traditions of the communities of Lancaster.
Lancaster General Board of Trustees
Gibson E. Armstrong
Nancy S. Arnold
Thomas E. Beeman, Ph.D.
Rebecca S. Bumsted
Dana A. Chryst
Robert B. Falk, Jr., MD
John A. Fry
Dennis A. Getz
Alexander Henderson, III, Esq.
James E. Hipolit, Esq.
Joanne B. Ladley
Robert F. Latshaw, MD
Jeffrey F. Lehman
Bruce R. Limpert
C. Clair McCormick
Deborah K. Riley, MD
Kenneth G. Stoudt
Antonio Suarez
Michael W. Van Belle
Philip R. Wenger
Michael J. Winn
Senior Officers
Jeffrey F. Lehman
Chairperson
Alexander Henderson, III, Esq.
Vice Chairperson
Thomas E. Beeman, Ph.D.
President and Chief Executive Officer
Jan L. Bergen
Executive Vice President for Strategic Implementation & Chief Mission Officer
Marion A. McGowan
Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer
Kent Carr, MD
Senior Vice President, Physician Services
F. Joseph Byorick, III
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer
Charles A. Castle, MD
Senior Vice President Operations, Women & Babies Hospital
Lee M. Duke, II, MD
Senior Vice President & Chief Physician Executive
Geoffrey W. Eddowes
Senior Vice President LGH Operations & Post Acute Care
Norma J. Ferdinand
Senior Vice President, Chief Quality Officer, & Chief Nursing Officer
Robert P. Macina, Esq.
Senior Vice President, Chief Administrative/Legal Officer & Corporate Secretary
Regina M. Mingle
Senior Vice President & Chief Leadership Officer
André W. Renna
Senior Vice President, Ambulatory Care & President LGSBT
Susan Wynne
Senior Vice President, Business Development
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