Letter to the Editor: Strong health care systems create healthy communities

Dear editor,

It should be no secret by now that building robust health care systems helps attract and retain a strong, steady workforce. Access to quality health care is a priority for many job seekers, and most want to settle in communities where they can receive care from highly recommended hospitals with experienced medical professionals. To offer quality medical facilities to job seekers, though, communities must attract and retain qualified health care workers first.

Many companies have started investing in health care systems in the communities they serve as the demand for employee benefits packages including quality health insurance and care options increases.

Springfield is home to two major health systems and a growing population of health care workers. As our community continues to focus on ways to enhance the quality of life, it’s important to remember the vital role our health care community plays in helping create a community that people are proud to live and work in. Investing in health care workers and facilities is a key part of laying this solid foundation.

To ensure the health care community’s needs are met and to maintain a favorable environment for hospitals and health care workers, companies need to connect with and begin building relationships with doctors, nurses, physician assistants and others working in the medical field. This could look like volunteering at health care-related events, meeting with medical foundations, and working directly with health care organizations to understand how to help meet their needs.

When building relationships with local health care organizations, we began to understand that it was essential to make sure there are financial products available to meet the specific needs of local medical professionals. From hiring new associates to creating new products based on input received directly from the medical community, we continue to work to ensure the health care providers who serve our community are connected and want to stay in Springfield. Since they do so much to care for our physical health, we want to do our best to take care of their financial health.

Providing funding for future projects, developing products to meet their individual needs and staying involved with health care organizations are just a few ways the business community can maintain its connection with the health care community. If Springfield can continue to offer quality health care by supporting local hospitals and health care providers, we can continue building a strong, healthy community that benefits everyone.

—Jammi Glenn, Arvest Bank-Springfield Region