Becker's Hospital Review

47 WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP How one of Virginia's few independent health systems stays strong, avoids mergers By Hannah Mitchell N estled in the semi-rural region of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Augus- ta Health serves 120,000 residents in its primary service area, with another 100,000 residents in adjacent counties. e health system is independent, com- munity-owned, locally governed and one of just a few independent health systems le in Virginia, Mary Mannix, CEO of Augusta Health, told Becker's. e following article is based on a podcast from Becker's Healthcare. Fishersville, Va.-based Augusta Health generates about $430 million in net revenue annually, with 225 beds, 12,000 admissions each year and 35 clinic sites throughout the surrounding community, Ms. Mannix said. For the 13-year health system CEO, be- ing one of the few successful independent health systems is a source of pride. "ere's a lot of consolidation going on in healthcare and in large healthcare sys- tems," Ms. Mannix said. "A lot of emphasis is being placed on scale. We're obviously a smaller, independent health system, and it's worked incredibly well for the community because we have such a high accountability level to the community, not to the corpo- rate office, but to the people who live in the community." One factor that ensures the health system focuses on community impact is that all 15 members of the board of directors live in the area, she said. "I feel a tremendous sense of pride that we're able to be successful in this commu- nity ownership model, and quite frankly, not being part of a larger system," she said. As a community-owned health system, Augusta Health is required to actively engage with the community. Since Augusta Health is integrated into the community, leaders are able to build relationships with local residents and businesses. "It's more of an outward focus, versus a system focus or a corporate office focus," she said. In addition to being the CEO of Augusta Health, Ms. Mannix is on the board of directors for the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association and is affiliated with several other professional hospital- centered organizations. In these organizations, Augusta Health is among health system giants in Vir- ginia, such as Lynchburg-based Cen- tra Health and Roanoke-based Carilion Clinic. Yet when they assemble, it is an even playing field and there isn't pressure to be acquired by a larger health system, she said. "I feel like when we come together as an as- sociation, we are all bonded by more macro goals versus local or regional competition," Ms. Mannix said. "I feel like we're all very professional. We are very much in touch with the things that unite us to make Virgin- ia the healthiest state in the United States, and to advance the mission of our respec- tive organizations to improve the health of our communities." n To retain women, hospital leaders should consider these 4 child care policies By Hannah Mitchell H ospital leaders trying to mitigate workforce shortages should consider different child care policies and options to retain female workers, according to a May 28 article published in Harvard Business Review. Women have been disproportionately affected by the burden of child care during the pandemic. More than 800,000 women left the workforce between August and September 2020, The New York Times reported. To retain women in hospitals, leaders will have to step up and actively find ways to keep women in the workforce, the article said. Four policies leaders should consider implementing: 1. Allow for more flexible work arrangements: Consider giving employees a choice in the number of days they work at home, the time it takes to commute to and from work, expectations for meetings, desired availability, and time-off policies. 2. Acknowledge parents: Create a workforce culture that acknowledges parents so they don't feel that they have to hide their child care challenges from work. 3. Address the gender pay gap: Women earned, on average, 82 cents for every $1 earned by men, accord- ing to U.S. census data. 4. Reexamine your benefits: Implement time-off poli- cies for home-schooling. Consider employee assistance programs, bereavement support and mental health as- sistance for increased stress. n

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