Investor’s Corner – CHI Health
Omahans may recognize CHI Health from their neighborhood hospital or clinic, or when they enjoy an event at the CHI Health Center downtown. They might not realize the extent of our reach or the magnitude of our impact.
With roots in Omaha that go back 135 years to its founding in the healing ministry of the Church, CHI Health has grown into a regional health network with 28 hospitals, two stand-alone behavioral health facilities, 200 clinics, and nearly 13,000 employees in Nebraska, southwest Iowa, North Dakota, and Minnesota.
As an academic medical center, we’ve achieved breakthroughs that put us on the national stage.
- Henry Lynch, MD, in our cancer program, played a major role in the discovery of genetic factors in colon cancer and the syndrome bearing his name, Lynch Syndrome.
- Our surgeons were among the first in the world to pioneer the technology for and implant an innovative stroke prevention device that is now widely used.
- CHI Health is among the fewer than 1% of breast centers in the country to achieve a Triple Accredited Center of Excellence.
- CHI Health Creighton University Medical Center – Bergan Mercy is recognized for excellence in stroke care as a nationally certified Comprehensive Stroke Center.
“CHI Health has pioneered many of today’s commonly performed heart procedures and we perform more of these procedures than anyone in the state,” said Cary Ward, MD, CHI Health Market President.
“The community can also count on our commitment to preparing tomorrow’s health care providers through our academic medical partnership with Creighton University.”
On top of that, we find a way to give back through community benefit which totalled $231.1 million in fiscal year 2023 alone. That includes $183.6 million in care for 426,000 people who were underinsured and uninsured.
It’s our people who make all this possible, so our goal for 2024-25 is to attract and support highly skilled health care professionals who are just as committed to our mission.
“We take pride in being a place where expertise, innovation and the compassion we call humankindness are equally valued,” said Dr. Ward. “People who work here enjoy using their skills to truly make a difference, whether it’s at our level 1 trauma and comprehensive stroke center, or the Family Health Centers with everything patients and providers need under one roof.”
Making this the best place for people to work and practice medicine includes developing innovative programs to support them. “For example, CHI Health hospitals embarked on a CommonSpirit Health nursing residency program aimed at boosting retention by better equipping nurses in their specialties. Our retention rate for that program is around 98%,” Aaron Austin, Chief Human Resources Officer, Central Region.
“We’re also surveying new talent after they’re hired, and making adjustments based on their responses. As a result, our retention at 90 days is up to 97 and 98 percent and even 100 percent in some locations,” he said.
Giving people the tools they need to be leaders is also essential. “We’re doing this through a leadership training program, so we can help a great nurse become a great leader,” Austin said.
CHI Health is committed to being an active member and significant investor in the Chamber.
“As one of the largest employers in the Greater Omaha area and the state, CHI Health believes it is important to partner with the Chamber of Commerce to continue growing our community and improving the quality of life for all of its residents,” said Pete Festersen, Vice President, Strategy, Public Affairs, Business Development.
“In particular, we appreciate the Chamber’s efforts to attract and retain a qualified workforce and its advocacy efforts such as supporting LB 1087, which is helping bring approximately $1 billion in additional Medicaid reimbursement to the state of Nebraska.”
As part of CommonSpirit Health, one of the country’s largest health care systems with 150 hospitals and 150,000 employees in 21 states, CHI Health has the opportunity to share what makes Omaha special with peers throughout the U.S.
“It’s just another way the great things happening in Omaha reach the national stage,” Festersen said.