Last Wednesday’s Improvement, Innovation, and Research Summit at GBMC HealthCare was an inspiring testament to the exceptional work being done across our health system. It was a day where our colleagues from GBMC Hospital, GBMC Health Partners, and Gilchrist showcased the innovation and continuous improvement that define our commitment to high-quality, patient-centered care.
I had the honor of delivering the keynote address, and I chose to frame our progress through a simple, powerful narrative: the journey from “lone cowboys and cowgirls” to “designers of care.” Years ago, healthcare often depended on individual heroism – providers doing whatever it took, often outside of defined systems, to care for their patients. But as we’ve learned, good people working in broken systems can’t consistently deliver the outcomes our patients deserve. As W. Edwards Deming, brilliant statistician and business consultant, wisely said: “A bad system will beat a good person every time.”
The Power of a System
Our transformation has come from embracing system thinking, a way of working that ensures processes are standardized, outcomes are measured, and every team member understands how their work contributes to the whole. During the keynote, I walked through the history and power of the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) model (which was developed by Deming and Walter Shewhart) and highlighted the influence of the Malcolm Baldrige Framework, including how our Leadership System helps us drive alignment and accelerate improvement across all departments.
The true highlight of the day, however, was witnessing the incredible work presented by our teams. From reducing fall rates through zoning assignments to developing nurse-led initiatives to lower cesarean deliveries, and from partnering to improve diabetes outcomes to advancing palliative care education, the presentations demonstrated our relentless focus on better health, better care, less waste, and more joy.
Why It Matters
Every project at the summit was more than a slide deck or poster. It was a story about a patient, a family, a caregiver. Each one brought us closer to our vision: “To every patient, every time, we will provide the care we would want for our own loved ones.” I am so proud (as we all should be!) of our staff for their work and the mark they make on system improvement every day.
Thank you to everyone who participated in the 2025 Summit, from the planning committee to the presenters to those who cheered on their colleagues. I want to especially thank Michele Patchett, Sarah Muslim-Lefebvre, and Dr. Surendra Marur for their leadership in coordinating this great event. Let’s carry this momentum forward, knowing that when we design better systems, we create better outcomes.
A Note about Memorial Day
As we observe Memorial Day weekend, let us also take a moment to honor and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. Their courage and commitment make it possible for us to pursue our mission in a free and open society. May we all find time to reflect, recharge, and return with renewed dedication to the work we do every day.
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