[MUSIC PLAYING]
Hi, I'm Joe Cacchione, CEO of Jefferson Health
and Thomas Jefferson University.
It's an honor to lead this nearly 200-year-old
institution.
Jefferson provides high-quality care throughout the region,
educates the best and brightest professionally focused
students, and ensures some of our most vulnerable neighbors.
As I reflect on my first 100 days in this role,
I'm deeply inspired and even more assured in my decision
to come back to Philadelphia.
Our provider stayed strong for our patients
over the past few challenging years,
and that resilience and commitment
to our mission of improving lives has been very clear.
Our university, which was just one of three universities
in the area to remain open during the height
of the pandemic, helped students navigate
through unforeseen circumstances to come together
and excel at an unrivaled learning environment.
They will not only be prepared for their careers
in the future, but they will also
be prepared for any curveballs that life throws at them.
And as we approach the holidays, it
is an opportunity to reflect on how far we've come
and how we will chart the successful path
into the new era of health care, higher education, and health
insurance.
As the largest regional health system, 42,000 employees
strong, our focus over the next few years
will be on recovering financially
from the challenges exacerbated by this pandemic.
And we will look forward toward fully integrating
our multifaceted enterprise until we
are truly one Jefferson.
Every patient, every student, every member
can and should expect the same high-quality experience
whenever and wherever they interact with us.
You can also expect Jefferson to deepen our partnership
with the community, double down on efforts
to reduce disparities, and advance
health equity in health care.
I'm optimistic about our future, and I look forward
to the bright days ahead for our community.
And now I'd like to take this opportunity
to wish you all a very Merry Christmas, Happy
Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, and a Happy New Year.
I think we're blessed to be together,
and I'm looking forward to a strong and vibrant 2023
and seeing you all next year.
Happy holidays, folks.