2020 was a very difficult year. We experienced insecurity, stress and anxiety as we responded to the impact of COVID-19 on our health, our loved ones and our community. As a system and as individuals, we have planned around, responded to and coexisted with the virus – personally and professionally. People are hurting from the pandemic, from many kinds of loss, from oppression and injustice, and from brutality and violence in our communities. Serving on the front lines in the war against COVID-19 and systemic health, social and racial inequities made last year a year unlike any other.

And now, more than ever, we must nurture and take care of each other. As a faith-based nonprofit health and well-being organization, we must do what we can to fight these battles. In our 2020 Social Purpose Report, we share how caregivers brought health and healing to the sick, hope and encouragement to our communities and strength to one another. We also highlight how we are driving innovation across our system and into the communities we serve. Some of our most notable achievements include:

Remaining steadfast in the face of adversity

Through unwavering tenacity, courage and resilience, our employees poured everything into using their gifts in service to others. Their speed and grace in responding to ever-changing COVID-19 clinical guidelines and patient needs was, and still is, inspiring. Our teams mobilized and shifted resources, executed emergency response plans and stood up command centers and telehealth capabilities in just days. It's no surprise that our healthcare heroes led us to be ranked first on Fortune magazine's list of Best Workplaces in Health Care and Biopharma™.

Becoming a central COVID-19 hub

Texas Health became a leading source of timely, accurate COVID-19 information, guidance, testing, treatment and vaccines. Early on, we launched a COVID-19 Prevalence Study to assess how the virus impacts diverse populations to develop effective public health strategies. We also:

• Engaged at-risk consumers to address misinformation about the virus and vaccines.
• Delivered critical testing and treatment, as well as routine services and support.
• Coordinated with county health departments to administer vaccines at numerous Texas Health Community Clinics.

Enhancing our diversity, inclusion and equity strategies

We designed a comprehensive strategy to further embed diversity, equity and inclusion within our walls, our supply chain and the communities we serve. We are building a more culturally welcoming environment for consumers and their families and providing additional business opportunities to minority- and women-owned suppliers. At the same time, we are aligning our workforce and governance body with North Texas' demographics, as we examine and remove our own unconscious biases.

Investing in community health

Texas Health is funding and supporting pandemic relief efforts to address food insecurity and rental assistance in underserved North Texas communities. We also are addressing social determinants of health and closing gaps in healthcare literacy and behavioral health.

Expanding our support

We opened Texas Health Hospital Mansfield, the first few Texas Health Breeze Urgent Care™ clinics and broke ground on a women's tower at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Denton. We also expanded Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Alliance, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Allen and Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Hurst-Euless-Bedford to deliver more services.

Optimizing our operations

Our efforts to improve care safety and quality through standardized, reliable practices are paying off. We received the Texas Hospital Association's Bill Aston Award for Quality for reducing sepsis mortality rates. Serious safety events are down significantly.

We also are using data and predictive analytics to make better decisions, faster. We are using artificial intelligence to monitor systemwide strategies and needs, design tailored care management strategies for at-risk consumers and identify services to improve their well-being.

Putting tools at consumers' fingertips

We are making it easier for consumers to access services and support to live their best lives. We launched applications and tools for consumers to engage care teams, access information and estimate out-of-pocket costs for up to 300 services.

I encourage you to read on and learn more about how Texas Health’s employees advanced our healing ministry with dignity and grace in this extraordinary time. While we have great challenges to overcome, we will persist in our efforts to transform North Texas into healthier, more resilient, more equitable and more sustainable communities. Thank you for supporting our Mission.

Sincerely,

Barclay E. Berdan, FACHE
Chief Executive Officer