For July’s column, I’m continuing with my State of the Hospital message, with Part I being published last month. It’s important to periodically update our community on developments and plans at Highlands-Cashiers Hospital (HCH).
In May, my fellow Mission Health hospital CEOs and I attended the HCA Healthcare CEO Summit in Frisco, Texas. It was encouraging to hear many of the same priorities we've identified at HCH being discussed across healthcare organizations nationwide: clinical excellence, workforce development, innovation, collaboration among care teams, and improving access to care.
I've written before about the advantages of being part of HCA Healthcare, and the support we received during and after Hurricane Helene remains one of the best examples. The Summit reinforced the value of being connected to a network that provides access to advanced technology, clinical expertise, and best practices from across the country. It also highlighted the importance of listening closely to our patients and using their feedback to continually improve the care experience. Those lessons align closely with the priorities we've already established locally, and they strengthen my confidence that Highlands-Cashiers Hospital and Eckerd Living Center (ELC) are well-positioned for the future.
After spending time with our Board, our leadership team, and colleagues from across HCA Healthcare this spring, I came away even more optimistic about where HCH and ELC are headed. We have a talented team, strong support from our community, and exciting opportunities ahead. Most importantly, we're committed to growing in ways that make a real difference for the people who live here.
Speaking of our growth, I want to share some exciting news about orthopedic care on the Plateau.
We recently welcomed orthopedic surgeon Dr. John Franklin Sloboda to HCH and ELC. Dr. Sloboda brings decades of experience in orthopedic surgery and specializes in hip and knee replacement procedures. A graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, he served our country as an Army orthopedic surgeon before building an impressive career helping patients regain mobility and return to the activities they enjoy most.
Beginning in late August, Dr. Sloboda will see patients at Mission Community Primary Care – Cashiers and perform total hip and total knee replacement surgeries at HCH. This is an important step forward for our community because it means more residents will have access to advanced orthopedic care close to home, reducing the need to travel long distances for consultations, surgery, and follow-up appointments.
As our community continues to grow and remain active, the need for orthopedic services continues to increase. Bringing Dr. Sloboda to HCH reflects our commitment to expanding specialty care and investing in services that matter most to our patients and their families.
At the end of the day, our goal is simple: to make sure you and your family can receive outstanding care close to home. Whether through new physicians, expanded services, or investments in our team, we're building for the future while staying true to what has always made HCH and ELC special — caring for our neighbors. I couldn't be more excited about what lies ahead.
Tom Neal, RN, MBA, MHA, is the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) of Highlands-Cashiers Hospital. Neal is a proven leader with more than 30 years of progressive healthcare experience. Prior to his role at Highlands-Cashiers Hospital, he served as Chief Executive Officer of both Berwick Hospital Center in Berwick, Pennsylvania, and Greenbriar Valley Medical Center, Ronceverte, West Virginia, which are each part of Community Health Systems (CHS). Tom has an MBA from the University of Louisville, MHA from the California College of Health Sciences, BSN from Regents College of New York and an ADN from Jefferson Community College.