Like the community we serve, the health care team at Lawrence Memorial Hospital is made up of diverse individuals with unique talents. Working together we focus our efforts on a common vision: to be the best community hospital in the nation.

But what does it mean to be the best?

In a perfect world, it would mean that physicians and patients confidently choose LMH because they know patients will receive the highest quality services in a safe and pleasant environment where skilled staff are attentive and compassionate, and technology is second to none.

Being the best would mean that associates are proud to work at LMH because it offers an environment where they are empowered to perform to the best of their abilities, supported by the resources they need and recognized for their efforts.

The community would count LMH as a valued asset that contributes to the high quality of life in Lawrence. The community would support the hospital with generous donations of time and money.

While this describes the ideal, it’s not that different from the LMH today. We are guided by a board of trustees that has set a bold course for the future with its vision. We benefit from the expertise of a medical staff that is world class. We attract and retain outstanding associates who are dedicated to service excellence. We appreciate our volunteers who generously devote their time and talents. And we are grateful to a community that financially supports our efforts with their private donations. We cannot provide the quality of health-care services the community expects and deserves without the support of many.

As a community hospital, LMH works very efficiently to serve area residents’ health care needs with quality services. We do so without support from city, county or state tax funds. The number of uninsured and under-insured people in our community continues to rise. The impact of charity care has increased 115 percent in the past five years, and this year that number is expected to climb to $4 million. Reimbursement from Medicare, which accounts for a significant portion of our patients, continues to shrink. LMH, like other human service agencies and businesses alike, is faced with significant challenges.

But Lawrence and surrounding communities have consistently demonstrated support of LMH. Patient activity levels reflect increased service. Outpatient services, in particular, continue to drive these volume increases. In addition, new services, acquisition of state-of-the-art technology, and preparation for a future facility expansion to keep pace with growing needs all strengthen the hospital’s position as a regional provider of medical services. It’s a position that continues to attract additional business to Lawrence resulting in a demonstrated economic impact in terms of jobs, retail sales and tax revenues.

To be the best is to aim high. Recognition such as the Kansas Excellence Award and top performance in regional quality outcomes reporting demonstrate progress toward our goal. But there are many challenges still to overcome. The health care team at Lawrence Memorial Hospital remains firmly committed to excellence and quality – two hallmarks that make Lawrence special.