Perhaps no issue is a greater lightening rod for heated discussion than health care. It affects all of us and our well being, it is so costly it threatens our economic stability, and the rush of new technology adds to the challenge of balancing broad needs with economic realities. Access to health care for those without insurance remains a challenge in the U.S.
We started our discussion of health care in issue 73, featuring Conversations with two of the nation’s leaders in the field. In issue 74, health care will continue to be the focus.
In this issue, Luke McGuinness, CEO of Central DuPage Health, is featured in the Conversation. He began his work at this Chicago area hospital system in 2003 when CDH was on the verge of bankruptcy both financially and intellectually. Today it is rated in the top 10% of hospitals in the nation, attracting patients from many parts of the country. This release also includes two influential readings from the health care field, a new ethical dilemma with response from Kenman Wong in Ethix at Work, a new Essay from David Gill, and a News Notables update from Roger Eigsti.
In the next release of issue 74, we will feature a Conversation with Jonathan Perlin, the chief medical officer and president of physician services for HCA based in Nashville, Tenn. Before joining HCA in 2006, Dr. Perlin was Under Secretary for Health in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. As the Chief Executive Officer of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Dr. Perlin led the nation’s largest integrated health system.
Looking beyond issue 74, we will turn to the telecommunications and the movie industries for our upcoming Conversations. We have met with John Stanton, chairman of the board of Trilogy International Partners; Barry Rowan, chief financial officer for Vonnage; and Darcy Antonellis, president of Warner Brothers Technical Operations.
Al Erisman
Executive Editor