Trinity Health's CEO, John Kutch, took his position June 1, and continues to put his plans in place. Next week, Kutch and Trinity's board of directors will begin forming a seven-year plan.
As he spoke at a Kiwanis meeting Tuesday, Kutch outlined an agenda for 2010 that he has called Trinity transformation.
"Trinity transformation begins with our culture, redefining it. We are recognized for our outstanding IT (information technology) and exceptional outcomes. One of the things we need to do is improve the culture as it relates to service," Kutch said.
Kutch hopes to address patients' changing needs and expectations, and has sought and continues to seek public opinion on Trinity's system of care. He poses the question, 'If there were two things you could change about Trinity Health, what would they be?'"
"The answer to some of our tough challenges are not found within Trinity Health, but outside of it. We need to be a care system that listens and responds to those who use our system," Kutch said.
Trinity Health currently employs 153 physicians. Kutch's goal is to employ 200. Since becoming CEO in June, Kutch has hired 17 physicians.
"We will continue to recruit (physicians) until we're meeting the needs of everybody in the region, and we're not there yet," Kutch said.
Another challenge Kutch is facing is planning for a new building. He said that Trinity's current building has done its job, and it's time to retire it.
"One of the things high on the list of priorities is to come up with a plan to replace the existing campus," Kutch said.