September 27, 2002

Partners president outlines achievements, challenges at Town Meeting

At his last official Town Meeting as president and chief executive officer for Partners HealthCare, Samuel O. Thier, MD,(shown below) praised employees and staff for the eight years of success since the inception of the system.

During the hourlong meeting in the O'Keeffe Auditorium Sept. 23, Thier offered words of gratitude to James J. Mongan, MD, president of the MGH, for taking the reins as the leader of Partners beginning January 2003. "I can't think of anyone more qualified or better suited to take this position when I step down next year," Thier said. "And I'd like to thank the MGH for relinquishing him to lead Partners. I think this will be and has been a smooth transition for all of the Partners institutions."

Thier reviewed the eight-year history of Partners, highlighting accomplishments such as developing a model for regional health care; fostering education and research; and working to secure adequate funding levels for caregivers. Thier said that despite financial pressure from managed care companies and other payors, Partners institutions have done well —in part because of the strategic hospital partnerships forged with North Shore Medical Center, Faulkner Hospital and Newton-Wellesley Hospital, as well as the development of a strong physician-based network with Partners Community HealthCare, Inc. (PCHI).

Patient volume has increased significantly throughout Partners, particularly at health centers where services to underserved patients have tripled since Partners was formed. Staff and employees at each institution have worked hard to decrease the cost of patient care. Adjusted for severity of cases, the inflation-adjusted cost of caring for one patient has decreased from $4,239 in 1993 to $3,290 in 2002. Overall, the financial forecast for Partners is positive for 2002, with revenues at $52 million.
Partners' education programs have thrived, with new integrated programs —13 residencies and 15 fellowships —that have created more access to comprehensive training throughout the system. Research collaborations throughout Partners have accompanied funding growth —$628 million as of March 2002 —doubling Partners' total research funding.

"We've accomplished a great deal during the last eight years —most of what we set out to do and many things we hadn't planned to do," said Thier. "This isn't a single exercise —it is a relay race. And now it is time to pass the baton to Jim Mongan."
Mongan outlined his goals as he prepares to take the leadership position at Partners. Plans include continuing to work with legislators and payors for fair reimbursement for services; building upon Partners' current fiscal stability; and enhancing the patient care, teaching and research missions of Partners institutions.

"I hope that no one will take for granted the significant accomplishments Partners has achieved in this challenging economic environment," said Mongan. "We would not have had this kind of success without the inspiration and leadership of Sam Thier." Jeff Davis, senior vice president for Human Resources, concluded the meeting with a question-and-answer session and a send-off message to Thier. "We would like to thank Dr. Thier for conducting these town meetings and for always being accessible and available to us," said Davis. "In many mergers, the president becomes distant, inaccessible and faceless, but Dr. Thier never let that happen. We appreciate all that he has done for this institution and for the entire Partners organization."