Our new president, Keith Churchwell, MD, would like you to get to
know him
Before taking on his new role in October, Keith Churchwell, MD, served as chief operating officer and executive vice president for YNHH, after five years as senior vice president charged with leadership of the heart and vascular service line. Prior to coming to YNHH, he served as executive director and chief medical officer of the Vanderbilt Heart and Vascular Institute.
“Our donors are our partners in everything we do at YNHH. That’s why I’m delighted to have this chance to introduce myself to you. I truly believe donors play an incredibly important role in our ability to deliver higher quality care on our two campuses.
I’ve been a cardiologist for well over 25 years. As the first physician in the role of president at YNHH, I have a unique viewpoint given the number of roles I have played in hospitals — both here and in other health systems.
As a clinician who has taken care of very sick patients in high-risk situations, I understand the unprecedented challenges our caregivers are facing, as well as the issues our patients are dealing with daily. We know what has happened to all of us in this pandemic will be a part of our work, our recovery, and our lives for a long time.
My experiences as a manager and administrator have helped me understand the importance of the relationships between administration, our staff, and the vital nature of providing the best circumstances for the delivery of care for all.
The crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has given us a unique opportunity to change and improve the way we deliver medical care as we work to fashion pathways that are best for patients and caregivers.
Our use of telehealth is a great example. This past February, we did 25 total video visits. Since then, we have performed more than 45,000 visits on our telehealth platforms. This shows how our substantial investments in technology have been important in our ability to deliver care. We will need to invest even more as we peer into the future and assess how to best meet the demands of our patients.
Someday, I’d like you all to remember me for being a positive force in developing how we deliver care. I want everyone who walks through our doors to feel valued. And I want them to feel we have helped them on their journey to better health.
I’m always available to talk with you about the instrumental role you can play in improving and expanding our hospital. We’re on the cusp of a new age of medical technology and therapies, and you can be our partner in achieving our goals: to be the best place not only locally, but across the country, in providing health care and better health for our patients. Please feel free to drop me a line any time to ask questions, share your ideas, or just say hello.”
Email Dr. Churchwell at: Dr.Churchwell@ynhh.org