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From the CEO

On December 22, I assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer for Kaweah Health—just the 5th individual to hold this position in our 65-year history. I am honored by the Board's confidence and deeply grateful to the Medical Staff members who participated in the recruitment process.

 

As I begin leading our organization, I want to share three priorities that will guide my work: 1) a recommitment to excellence, 2) strengthening our partnership with the Medical Staff, and 3) embedding compassion throughout our organization.

 

Excellence is our Focus

Healthcare grows more challenging each year. Federal and state policies, rising costs, and revenue pressures affect us all — physicians and hospitals alike. To thrive, we must pursue excellence relentlessly. I'm challenging our 5,300 employees to continuously improve their work, regardless of role. This commitment to excellence will directly improve patient safety, organizational efficiency, and clinical outcomes.

 

Physician Partnership

Kaweah Health cannot be a highly successful health system without strong collaborative relationships with you, our Medical Staff and broader medical community. I acknowledge we have room for improvement, and I'm committed to earning your trust and partnership.

 

My initial conversations with MEC officers have been highly encouraging. We've already identified concrete opportunities: restructuring medical group contracting processes, establishing regular monthly meetings with partner groups, inviting MEC participation in leadership meetings and employee huddles, and expanding MEC's role in evaluating contracted medical groups.

 

I want you to know my door is truly open. I value physician input and perspective, and I'm committed to transparent communication. Please reach me directly at mmertz@kaweahhealth.org or 559-624-2330.

 

Compassion is our Promise

Our health system exists to care for our community with genuine compassion—responding to suffering with a desire to alleviate it. Research demonstrates that compassionate care improves patient outcomes, reduces clinician burnout, and enhances organizational performance. Imagine the impact if every interaction in our system reflected this commitment.

 

Brief Updates:

  • Executive Recruitment – We're recruiting for Chief Strategy Officer, Chief Ambulatory Officer, and Chief Nursing Officer. Interviews are taking place for Chief Strategy and Chief Ambulatory officers.
  • Youth Crisis Stabilization Unit – Opened December 1st at 230 NW 3rd Avenue, Visalia (559-839-2670), serving youth up to age 21 with 24/7 crisis services.
  • Staffing – Down to 283 open positions (59 RNs)—significant improvement. Our Kaweah Health/Unitek program graduated its first BSN cohort in January.
  • Jonna Schengel, PT, MA, Ed.D, has been appointed to serve as the Zone 2 representative of the Kaweah Delta Health Care District, filling the seat vacated by the retirement of Lynn Havard Mirviss, RN, Ed.D. Jonna is currently the Dean of Career Technical Education (CTE) and Workforce Development, Industry and Technology, Manufacturing, Nursing and Allied Health at College of the Sequoias (COS). She has lived in Visalia since 1991 and worked in the medical field as a physical therapist.

 

I look forward to partnering with you in my new role. Please don't hesitate to reach out.