I write today with appreciation for the team members at Northwest Health who help make our community a healthier, better place to live and gratitude for patients who choose our hospital and medical services for their care. The impact of Northwest Health is a result of the skilled and compassionate hands of physicians, nurses and other team members as they deliver safe, quality care around the clock every day.
The pandemic heightened the need for medical care and it is the commitment and compassion of each member of our team that made it possible to deliver quality care for all patients at more than 874,600 interactions with our hospital, outpatient clinics and physician offices last year.
We delivered joy as more than 2,000 babies took their first breaths in our Birthing & Family Care Centers at Northwest Health - La Porte and Northwest Health – Porter last year. More than 17,000 patients went home with less pain following a joint replacement, a heart beating in rhythm after receiving a pacemaker, a smile of relief when their cancer treatment was a success, or a better attitude knowing their care was in the hands of a physician who could provide help. Helping people get well and live healthier is rewarding work, and we are grateful for the trust every patient places in us.
Northwest Health continues to grow and evolve as we put resources toward increased services, facilities and technologies that are important to our patients. These include enhanced technology like the new artificial intelligence we use to screen for colon cancer, a new telemetry system at Northwest Health - Porter, and launching our new Bariatric and Medical Weight Loss program. Access has been enhanced with the opening of three clinics and outpatient centers in La Porte, Portage and Michigan City and the recruitment of 23 new providers to the region. Most of our physicians offer telemedicine visits, making it easy to see a doctor from the comfort of home.
We value our relationship with the communities of northwest Indiana and our broad economic impact. We are proud to have paid more than $41.6 million in taxes last year. Our taxes support critical infrastructure such as first responders, schools and roads. Wages and benefits generate buying power for local goods and services and help drive the local economy. And we care for our most vulnerable residents, last year providing more than $38 million of charity and uncompensated care.
Our support also helps local charitable and community organizations. Last year we supported more than 40 organizations such as the United Way, more than a dozen local schools, Our Greater Good, Dunebrook and the Starke County Youth Club.
We are part of this community and we are committed to doing all we can to provide excellent healthcare services and to making Northwest Indiana a healthier, better community for all.
With gratitude,
Ashley Dickinson, FACHE
Chief Executive Officer, Northwest Health
About Northwest Health
Northwest Health is a comprehensive healthcare system committed to providing communities in Northwest Indiana with high-quality, accessible healthcare—from highly specialized care and surgical services to more routine primary care. The system of more than 60 access points includes three hospitals, five emergency departments, urgent care centers, outpatient surgery centers, an ambulance service, and physician offices. A team of more than 3,000 employees work together with the more than 700 physicians on its medical staffs. For more information, visit NWHealthIN.com.
