As we enter the 2024-25 fiscal year, I am pleased to share with you the many positive developments and achievements across Kaweah Health. Despite the ongoing challenges faced by healthcare institutions nationwide, Kaweah Health continues to demonstrate resilience and growth, a testament to the dedication of our exceptional team and the support of our community.

On June 26, our Board of Directors unanimously approved Kaweah Health's $900 million operating and $14 million capital budget for the upcoming fiscal year. This budget reflects our unwavering commitment to providing excellent and compassionate care to our patients and community and adds $32 million in raises to our caregivers and support staff. This significant investment in our workforce underscores our commitment to attracting and retaining top talent in the healthcare industry.

In exciting news, Kaweah Health has been named a 2024-25 Best Regional Hospital by U.S. News and World Report. This recognition places Kaweah Health among the top healthcare providers in the Central Valley. We earned high-performing rankings in several critical areas, including heart failure, COPD, heart attack, kidney failure, knee replacement, pneumonia, and stroke treatment. Additionally, our Kaweah Health Dialysis Center received a 5-star rating in patient satisfaction from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the highest rating for any dialysis clinic in Visalia.

Our Graduate Medical Education Program continues to make significant strides in addressing the physician shortage in our region. This year, we celebrated the graduation of 41 resident physicians across six specialty areas and three physician fellows in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. Since the program's inception 11 years ago, we have graduated 210 resident physicians, with an impressive 42 percent choosing to stay and practice in the Central Valley.

I am also delighted to share that Dr. LaMar Mack, a board-certified vascular surgeon at the Kaweah Health Cardiology Center, has been recognized as one of America's Best Vascular Surgeons for 2024 by Newsweek. This places Dr. Mack among the top 200 vascular surgeons in the nation, which speaks to Kaweah Health’s commitment to bringing high-quality care to our community.

As we move forward, I want to remind our community that you play a vital role in supporting quality healthcare close to home. By choosing Kaweah Health for your primary and specialty care needs, laboratory work, and diagnostic testing, you're not just receiving excellent care — you're making an investment in our community. Kaweah Health exists first and foremost to serve the people of the South Valley, and your trust in us strengthens our ability to provide exceptional healthcare services.

Thank you for your continued support and trust in Kaweah Health. We look forward to another year of growth, innovation, and compassionate care.