Notes from the President--March 2013

I am an impatient man. As my wife, Judy, knows too well, I hate to wait—for anything. It always seems like it takes too long between when a decision is made and something happens. Institutions, including Loma Linda, just take too long sometimes. With that disclaimer, let me catch you up on some of the things I have been waiting for, as well as some other news.

It’s finally under way. Stewart Street is now closed between Anderson and Campus Streets as construction crews start to widen it to four lanes, plus bike/emergency lanes, and construct the pedestrian bridge over the middle connecting to the Centennial Complex. Cars are once again being diverted down the old University Avenue in the middle of campus. Construction will take about a year, and then we can finally convert University Avenue back into the Woods Walkway, named after our former president, Norman Woods. When the Stewart Street project is complete, with the Centennial Pathway running from Founders Plaza to Centennial Complex, our campus will be contiguous and safe for our students and others to enjoy.

We are in the final stages of environmental clearances before we close escrow on our new piece of land for the San Bernardino Campus. Excitement is building on our campus with this commitment to the San Bernardino community. Plans for the “Gateway College” are moving even more quickly with the intent to start some of these job-entry educational activities within the San Bernardino School District by this fall. This will give us a chance to develop the necessary relationships and refine our strategies as we wait for our own building to be built.

Ah, parking. The ever-present challenge on our campus. Someone recently quipped to me that our new tag line should be “Many Strengths, One Mission, No Parking!” Once again we are trying to solve this issue. The new seven-story parking structure west of the hospital is under construction! Scheduled to be completed by the end of this year, it will provide an additional 1,170 parking spaces. It will be connected to the current parking structure west of the church. We are already developing plans for another parking structure to get ahead of this continual problem. Only then can we start to work on new clinical facilities for the campus. In addition to more parking, we are also collaborating with Omnitrans and the City of San Bernardino to prepare a rapid bus line to Loma Linda. This will connect our campus and the Jerry L. Pettis Memorial VA Hospital on the south to San Bernardino and California State University–San Bernardino on the north. This will serve staff, students, and patients, including a stop near the planned San Bernardino campus.

As I have shared previously, we are hard at work trying to more effectively integrate our clinical services. An Integration Task Force, chaired by Dr. Herb Ruckle, is meeting frequently with all involved parties to craft a strategy that includes all six hospitals, 800 doctors, and our many clinics into a unified and integrated service. The installation of the EPIC electronic medical record is a major step in this direction, providing all patient information whenever and wherever it is needed. Integral to this strategy is a new website and call center that can more effectively serve our entire campus with everything from doctor appointments to referrals, lab results, etc. This integrated system will connect all of our clinics and services through a common portal and greatly facilitate all those connecting with the campus for whatever reason.

Every five years, Loma Linda sponsors the largest scientific conference in the world focused on the benefits of plant-based diets. Last month, this 6th International Congress on Vegetarian Nutrition took place on our campus. More than 800 participants came from all over the world to hear the latest research findings on nutrition and lifestyle issues. Loma Linda has become the international leader in this arena, a place where researchers gather to share information and learn from others. Kudos to Dr. Joan Sabaté who led this Congress, and the Schools of Public Health and Allied Health Professions who once again hosted a great event.

Our School of Dentistry has been blessed with only four deans in its nearly 60 years of existence. Dr. Charles Goodacre has served effectively in this role for the past 19 years, an impressive record by any standard. Last fall Dr. Goodacre indicated his decision to retire as dean, and a search committee began its work. I am pleased to announce that Dr. Ron Dailey, currently the executive associate dean, was appointed by our Board of Trustees as the new dean, effective July 1. Ron takes over with full support from the faculty and staff. Although not a dentist, he has served this school for 37 years, making him eminently capable for this leadership role.

Loma Linda University Medical Center – Murrieta has gone through considerable organizational changes in its two short years of existence. It opened in April 2011 as a joint venture with physician and community partners. New health care laws subsequently made physician ownership of hospitals illegal, thus requiring Loma Linda to buy out these partners. Having complete ownership of Murrieta did allow us to convert the hospital to a not-for-profit facility, which was accomplished in January of this year. Over the past year, its occupancy has continued to climb until its 106 beds and various services are close to maximum capacity now. Rick Rawson was appointed CEO last year and is now ably guiding this new facility. We are delighted Murrieta has filled such a felt need in the community and are proud of the reputation it has already earned.

I cannot end without an update on Vision 2020. As part of our campus transformation strategy, we are rebranding our name, as I mentioned last month. This will feature our new combined name of Loma Linda University Health with our emphasis on wholeness and healthful living. I believe you will enjoy the approach we are taking in sharing the uniqueness of this institution with the nation.

As I close this Notes from the President, the daffodils and California poppies are blooming in Oak Glen and in the valleys below. Spring reminds us of renewal and the hope of summer bounties. May our God continue to guide and bless this place.

Blessings,

Richard Hart, MD, DrPH
President
Loma Linda University Health