Dear UCR Health Team,

I hope this message finds you well. As we move through the year, it’s important to stay mindful and recognize the incredible impact that engagement and active participation have on our collective success. Every day, your dedication and contributions drive us forward, and now more than ever, it’s crucial that we continue fostering a culture of collaboration and connection. By staying engaged, sharing ideas, and supporting one another, we strengthen not only our teams but also the quality of care we provide to those who depend on us. 

Your voices matter, and your participation plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of UCR Health. I want to start by applauding everyone who participated in this year's Press Ganey Employee Engagement survey. I’m delighted to announce that we have achieved 92% staff survey participation. Our performance exceeded the national average of 75%, serving as a direct expression of our teams’ sincere dedication to continuous improvement. I commit to reading all submitted comments because it is important to know what we are doing well and what we should start doing. There is much more to come/share, as we will be developing action plans once the results come in. In the meantime, let's celebrate this remarkable engagement. I have already voted for my personal favorite T-shirt design and encourage you all to cast your vote in the survey below.

There’s really no stopping what we can accomplish when we work together — especially when it comes to bridging access for our patients. 80% of UCR Health patients are now activated in EPIC/MyChart, ensuring patients' core needs and priorities are taken care of — streamlined communication, efficient delivery of medical records, and the ability to schedule appointments online. Empowering patients with choice to own their healthcare journey must remain our focus into the future. I recently had the opportunity to speak to the value of digital health in last month’s Becker’s Hospital Review. We are constantly making notable efforts to increase patient awareness of these expanded capabilities. 

As we all know, behavioral health is a key societal issue and UCR Health is pleased to be able to further expand our excellent services to the Inland Empire. I am thrilled to share that UCR Health has successfully secured a behavioral health contract with Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) and our full psychiatry team will be on panel for IEHP. UCR SOM and Health has also joined forces with our Psychiatry and Neuroscience Department to sponsor the Alzheimer’s Association Inland Empire Walk on October 19^th, shedding light on a disease that impacts both individuals and families. I encourage you to join our UCR Health Team and partner with our Team Captain, Dr. David Franklin, Psy.D., M.H.A., who will be leading this event. This is a perfect opportunity to participate and engage with one another in support of an important cause. 

Together, we are making great strides—not just within our organization but also in the broader community we serve. Your continued engagement and participation are what drive these successes, and I encourage you to stay involved as we move forward. Whether it’s contributing to initiatives like the Employee Engagement Survey or supporting events such as the Alzheimer’s Walk, your involvement makes a difference.

Thank you for your unwavering commitment to our mission, our patients, and to one another.