The Board of Directors of Calais Regional Hospital set a clear direction for the next three years when it committed to a new organizational Strategic Plan at the September Board meeting. Beginning in March of this year, many participants, including community members, key healthcare partners, members of the Board of Directors and Trustees, the management team, the medical staff and hospital employees, were asked to provide input and guidance on where Calais Regional Hospital’s focus should be for the next two to three years.

The pillars of Calais Regional Hospital’s strategic plan are continued growth and development in a time of financial and economic stress; medical staff recruitment and retention; increased volume; increased productivity; patient quality and community relations announced Board Chair Linda L. Gralenski.

These six strategic directions are the Hospital’s goals for the next three years, 2010-2012. In an effort to realize these goals, the Hospital will each year develop hospital-wide objectives and actions for each of these areas. In addition, managers will prepare program/department level annual objectives which will further our progress in achieving these goals.

"Our goal is to ensure that Calais Regional Hospital remains a valued asset to the community. To that end, we developed a set of priorities that will help us change and grow to continue to meet the healthcare needs of the communities we serve," said Michael K. Lally, Chief Executive Officer.

The challenge to CRH is to maintain our financial viability while continuing, and even improving, service to the widespread geography that our regional hospital serves. While one prong of our approach to the current financial situation can be long term and temporary expense reductions, the other must be tactical investments. Nurturing areas where we can best grow and prosper is important now more than ever to not only survive this current economy but also to ensure the hospital’s viability into the future.

Mr. Lally said hospital leaders plan to keep the community updated about projects through the media and the hospital’s website, www.calaishospital.com. He is available to speak to community groups about the strategic plan. To schedule a presentation, contact DeeDee Travis, Director of Community Relations, Development and Customer Service at 454-9227.