As Kaweah Health enters the 2024-25 fiscal year, we are pleased to look back and share the many positive developments across our organization. The important trend in the last year was the ongoing increase in our revenue and the streamlining of processes, which has cut costs and improved profitability. As a result, we have been experiencing steady growth, which has helped maintain our financial health. The ability of our organization to meet the many challenges of today faced by businesses and families alike, is a testament to the people from our community who are part of the Kaweah Health team and help make it great.

I am very excited to welcome Dr. Paul Stefanacci as our new Chief Medical & Quality Officer (CMO/CQO). As the top physician leader at Kaweah Health, he oversees all medical aspects of our operations, ensuring we uphold the highest standards of quality, safety, and patient care. Dr. Stefanacci's expertise will be instrumental in guiding Kaweah Health toward continued excellence.

One of our biggest achievements this past fiscal year has been the growth and engagement of our workforce. We have increased hiring across the board and our new-hire turnover rate is the lowest in Kaweah Health's history. We are bringing more highly-skilled professionals to our team than ever before. We have also raised wages for employees throughout our organization by close to $30 million annually to recognize the invaluable contributions made by our caregivers and support staff.

We have also continued to improve access to health care services in Visalia, with the addition of prompt care at the Kaweah Health Medical Clinic on Plaza Drive. Our newest clinic, located on the northwest side of Visalia, serves the many businesses there with workers’ compensation and occupational health services, and now area residents can benefit from prompt care access closer to their home.

We are also excited about the recent acquisition of the infusion center operated by Sequoia Oncology Medical Associates (SOMA), our long-time partner at Sequoia Regional Cancer Center (SRCC) and Tulare County’s most advanced cancer treatment facility. SOMA is the group of physicians led by Dr. Robert Havard, who specialize in the use of medication in the treatment of cancer. We look forward to continuing our partnership with this group of doctors and their care team, who have helped so many in our community in their fight against cancer.

On May 21, I had the honor of speaking at the dedication ceremony for the Kaweah Health Reflection Garden and Monument. This gift was made possible by the Kaweah Health Foundation and the many donors it works with. It serves as a place of solace and peace and was created to help us honor the countless lives that have been touched by our caregivers over Kaweah Health’s 61-year history. We hope that it serves as a beacon of hope, a source of inspiration, and a testament to the enduring spirit of compassion that defines our organization.

As always, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to our dedicated team of caregivers, whose unwavering commitment to excellence continues to inspire us all. Together, we remain steadfast in our mission to provide exceptional healthcare services to the residents of Tulare County.