Issue link: https://blog.providence.org/i/1508232
2 | Health Matters: Providence St. Mary Medical Center W ithin the pages of this latest issue of Health Matters you'll find a tapestry of stories that reflect the heart and soul of Providence St. Mary Medical Center. As we delve into these narratives, we invite you to learn more about exciting updates and changes taking place across our hospital that will lead us toward a healthier, better-connected community, and I'm honored to be part of the transformation. I encourage you to read the story about U.S. News & World Report bestowing upon St. Mary an esteemed "Best Regional Hospitals" award for 2023–24. Ranked No. 4 in the Inland Empire (San Bernardino and Riverside counties) for quality care, we're humbled by the recognition of our dedication to your well-being. What's more, we're honored to receive our first-ever state ranking of No. 69, which places us in the top 20% of all California hospitals. We also earned from U.S. News "high performing" ratings for seven procedures and conditions. Another story introduces you to the newest member of the St. Mary family: Sara, our lovable three-year-old therapy dog for patients and caregivers. Sara is a black Lab, and her innate compassion has lit up our hospital, offering solace and companionship when and where it's needed most. Meanwhile, a transformative journey is underway as we set our sights on improving access to primary care physicians in the High Desert. The prospect of our internal medicine residency program coming to fruition brings hope. The program's aim is twofold: to increase the number of quality physicians in our community and to ensure you have the vital primary care you deserve. We anticipate welcoming our first crop of residents in 2025, and we're excited to begin offering this unique educational opportunity. In addition to the residency program, we are also in the process of enhancing our emergency department by seeking a Level IV trauma center designation. As you'll learn in the story, a grand jury report found that a shortage of trauma centers has contributed to bed delays in the High Desert, and our goal is to help reverse that trend while providing life-sustaining care when it's needed. As we work toward this goal, we reaffirm our promise to stand as a beacon of support and healing in times of urgent need. These stories encapsulate our commitment to elevating patient experience, bolstering your access to care and meeting the health care needs of our unique community. Your trust in Providence St. Mary Medical Center drives us forward, propelling us to serve you with compassion and excellence. Respectfully, Chief Executive Providence St. Mary Medical Center To Our Beloved Community