Through a number of quality improvement and safety programs we reduced observed-to-expected patient mortality by 6.9 percent thus far this year. This means an additional 130 lives have been saved. A case in point is our “perfect care" program, where the aim is to eliminate errors and generate positive results by using proven, evidence-based measures. For example, core measures for patients admitted with a heart attack include aspirin at arrival and discharge. Our efforts to provide perfect care for patients with pneumonia increased by 9.7 percent, benefiting 72 additional patients compared to FY 2011. We also increased perfect care for our surgical patients by 6.5 percent -- 266 more patients than last year.

In FY 2012 we achieved higher patient satisfaction scores. Improvements in discharge planning, as well as the use of pharmacists in patient care units, were two of the reasons. Our commitment as an organization is to aggressively build on this increase throughout the current fiscal year.

We’re also dedicated to improving the work environment and career opportunities for our employees. Over 86 percent of you took part in our employee engagement survey, followed by unit-based action planning for enhancing work settings throughout the organization. One of the system-wide responses to the survey was YOUR BIG IDEA--Penn Medicine’s Innovation Tournament. The tournament proved to be an exciting venue for employees to contribute ideas for improving the patient experience. And as of June 30 UPHS provided over $10 million in generous, pre-paid, tuition assistance, enabling our employees to complete their degrees and strengthen their professional advancement opportunities.

I’m especially pleased that we received outside confirmation of our nursing excellence: two Magnet recognitions in FY 2012. This prestigious designation has been achieved by fewer than seven percent of hospitals nationally. This past year HUP received Magnet status for the second time while Penn Presbyterian Medical Center received its first Magnet accreditation.    

FY 2012 saw continued investment in capital and technology projects throughout the Health System. The South Pavilion Extension of the Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine was begun which, when complete, will accommodate programmatic growth in the neurosciences. Penn Medicine also achieved “meaningful use” status for our electronic health record system for improving patient safety and care under the national economic stimulus bill. As a result of meeting the federal standards we will qualify for approximately $22 million in incentive funding. And the development of 136 quality measures in the Penn Data Store means clinicians now have quick access to detailed dashboard information for adjusting practice patterns and improving patient results.  

We also continued to make a positive mark in the community. Our commitment to serving the uninsured and under-insured resulted in over $107.5 million in charity and underfunded care in FY 2012. Our Penn Medicine CARES Foundation provided a number of grants to employees who volunteer their time to improve the health of the community. Our rich array of community outreach programs ranged from meals for the homeless to violence prevention efforts and tailored education programs for children with autism. Our strong level of civic involvement is reflected in the fact that Penn Medicine was one of three national finalists for the Spencer Foreman Award for Outstanding Community Service by the Association of American Medical Colleges.

Finally, we are a good neighbor to the city of Philadelphia and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Penn Medicine’s economic activities support more than 42,900 full time direct and indirect jobs throughout the state.

Your dedication to our patients and our organization has made this high level of performance possible -- and for that I am very grateful.  I look forward to another outstanding year of working together to make a difference.