Integrated Planning for the Future of Stanford Medicine

Featured Guest Contributor

Mariann Byerwalter, Interim CEO, Stanford Health Care

The three-part mission of Stanford Medicine is most effectively fulfilled when its partners work together in an integrated, collaborative manner. Two initiatives currently underway illustrate why this is so important and the exciting potential it provides.

Dean Lloyd Minor, LPCH/Stanford Children's Health CEO Christopher Dawes and I have launched the Integrated Clinical Strategy Committee. It is co-chaired by Chair of Radiology Sam Gambhir, MD, PhD; James Hereford, SHC COO; and Denny Lund, LPCH CMO. The important work of this committee will provide input to the Stanford Medicine Advisory Council.

Our clinical activities are conducted in a health care market that is rapidly consolidating, as reforms and economic forces encourage a systems- and value-based model of care. We must meet these challenges, leveraging the expertise of Stanford Health Care and Lucile Packard Children's Hospital and programs of the School of Medicine.

The charter of the Integrated Clinical Strategy Committee addresses a broad range of issues critical for our goal of preeminence in research, teaching and patient care. Among the topics the committee will explore are developing a strategic framework for continued growth in partnerships with affiliated physicians and providers; maintaining quality of care as our networks expand; as well as land use both on and off-campus. Input from School of Medicine faculty leaders to this process is essential, accompanied by appropriate financial analyses. 

I would like to acknowledge the work of Christopher Dawes and the LPCH team, who have recently completed a similar process, developing a strategic framework and a 10-year vision for LPCH and Stanford Children's Health called "Vision 2025."  Children's hospitals frequently need to pursue unique strategies designed for the populations they serve.  

An Administrative Sub-committee is being co-chaired by LPCH Chief Strategy Officer and CAO Physician Practices Kim Roberts; SOM Chief Strategy Officer Nancy Parker Taylor; and SHC Chief Strategy Officer Jenni Vargas. It will conduct, coordinate and review analytical studies regarding regional market forces, changes in payer mix and reimbursement methodologies, and opportunities for growth in clinical programs. The initial focus is to produce a five-year growth objective for the clinical enterprise.

A second joint initiative is focused on future development at the new Stanford University 35-acre campus in Redwood City, which is adjacent to the Stanford Medicine Outpatient Center. The University is proceeding with the first phase of its plan to build business and administrative offices, including space for School of Medicine central and departmental administrative offices. There is additional development capacity at the site beyond the University's current needs, however, and this may present a unique and exciting opportunity for Stanford Medicine.

We have formed the RWC2 Committee, co-chaired by SOM Vice Dean Linda Boxer, MD, PhD; SOM Senior Associate Dean for Finance and Administration Marcia Cohen; and VP of Planning, Design and Construction Mark Tortorich. Jack Cleary, Associate VP, Academic Projects & Operations, will represent the University's Office of Land, Buildings and Real Estate. The group has six months to create a plan that will envision how we could develop this space. By June 2016, we would like to have an overall vision and high-level program recommendations for utilizing the remaining development capacity.

In addition to the exciting potential to co-locate strategically aligned programs and services, future development by Stanford Medicine would benefit from the University's extensive investment in amenities for the new campus, including day care, recreational facilities such as a pool and high-end fitness center, cafes and a food pavilion, as well as ample parking.

The University projects that 2,300 of its employees will be located in Redwood City and that the first phase of development will be completed in 2019. About 700 Stanford Medicine physicians, nurses and other staff currently work at the Outpatient Center in programs ranging from orthopaedics, to sleep medicine and pain management.

Integrated, collaborative visioning and planning opportunities such as these make this an especially exciting time for me to engage with our Medical Staff. I look forward to the work ahead and welcome your input as we shape the future of Stanford Medicine together.

Learn more about the University's Redwood City campus plan.