News

Cuero, Texas: The Texas Organization of Rural & Community Hospitals (TORCH) recently awarded the senior leadership team at Cuero Regional Hospital with their Leadership Culture Award at their 2019 TORCH Fall Conference and Tradeshow held September 10-12 in Cedar Creek, Texas. The Senior leadership team at Cuero Regional Hospital was nominated by a peer hospital.

According to the nomination form, at least one of the following criteria had to be demonstrated in the award application:

• Ability to overcome a significant challenge with remarkable teamwork or innovation;
• Demonstrable community stewardship and service culture;
• Outstanding performance as evidenced by quality outcomes, patient satisfaction ratings, and organizational performance; or
• Engagement in state or federal advocacy efforts by the entire governance and leadership team.

TORCH is an organization of rural and community hospitals, corporations and interested individuals working together to address the special needs and issues of rural and community hospitals, staff and patients they serve. “We are honored to have our senior leaders recognized for their commitment to excellence in ensuring that all of our patients receive exceptional, compassionate care. It is not only our mission, but at the core of what we do every single day,” said Lynn Falcone, CEO of Cuero Health and member of the senior leadership team.

Members of the Cuero Regional Hospital Senior Leadership team recognized at this event were: Lynn Falcone, CEO of Cuero Health; Alma Alexander, CFO of Cuero Health; Denise McMahan, Assistant Administrator; Judy Krupala, CNO; and Greg Pritchett, Clinic Administrator.

Included in the award submission was a brief overview of the team and changes implemented over the past three years that led to them receiving this recognition from TORCH.

Per the submission:

In January 2016 Cuero Community Hospital began an affiliation agreement with the Methodist Healthcare System in San Antonio (MHS). It has been through this relationship with MHS that Cuero has made several significant advances and is more stable providing quality health care to the Cuero community and surrounding areas. An organized effort to improve operations as well as internal and external perception was coordinated by the new CEO, Lynn Falcone and the senior leadership team (SLT) consisting of Denise McMahan, Judy Krupala, Greg Pritchett and Alma Alexander. Some of the team changed roles to fulfill a passion and a need while others dug in to a new focus. This team has not only changed the way they look at issues, but has built a new trust amongst themselves, with the hospital department leaders, the Board and the community. Each senior team represents the hospital on local and/or regional committees to keep the organization visible and offering the best support to the communities served.

In an effort to bring a new look to the facility; the name was changed to Cuero Regional Hospital to better reflect the area served by the hospital, its home health agency and 5 rural health clinics. Along with this came a new logo and new look for the hospital. Engagement increased with SLT beginning weekly night shift rounds on every department, logging issues and follow up complete and they added weekend rounds as well. In addition to this, SLT and department leaders began holding monthly staff meetings and 1:1 with each employee. Spring 2018 brought about a new Mission and Vision statement created by staff that helped create a focus on serving the patient with excellence. Over this three-year time period, the Cuero staff engagement scores increased from a score of 67 to a score of 80, placing them in the top quartile of all HCA hospitals and in the top 4 of all 13 MHS and affiliates.

Financially, with a focus on patients and a new diligence on staffing, OT, supplies and budget process, Cuero has made great strides in financial stability to continue to serve the Cuero Community. In FY19, Cuero is ahead of budget and anticipates continued growth.

“I am proud of our team and their ability each day to step up to the plate to improve our healthcare system. They do not accept the status quo. They want the best for Cuero Health, including staff, patients and the communities we serve and it shows in their passion and drive,” said Falcone.

For more information call 361-275-6191 or learn more at www.cuerohospital.org.