Each month, Andrea Burch, President of InterMountain Lutheran Hospital, shares insights on healthcare innovation, community wellness initiatives, and behind-the-scenes updates on how the new hospital is taking shape. From medical breakthroughs to heartfelt patient stories, this interview connects our readers with the pulse of local healthcare.
What does it mean to be a nonprofit health system, and how does Intermountain Health reinvest in the community?
Being a nonprofit health system is core to Intermountain’s legacy and to our mission. There are four big things that set us apart from for-profit health systems. 1. We put community first. For-profit healthcare’s first responsibility is to their shareholders, while nonprofit’s priority focus is on the community. This includes providing care for people who may not be able to pay for it. Last year, Intermountain provided more than $220 million in charity care. We also prioritize services needed by the community, even when what we are paid by Medicare, Medicaid and health insurance may not cover the cost of providing those services. 2. Over the past 20 years, 95% of operating income in for-profit healthcare organizations totaling $2.6 trillion went to shareholders. As a nonprofit health organization, 100% of Intermountain’s operating income is invested back into the community through improved facilities, technology and services. 3. We do pay a significant amount in taxes. Last year, Intermountain paid more than $400 million in taxes. While we’re exempt from paying some property taxes, we do pay other property taxes, as well as payroll taxes and other types of taxes. 4. Intermountain reinvests in community benefit more than double the required amount. As a nonprofit, we are exempted from paying certain taxes if we invest back in community benefit at least the value of the taxes we are exempt from paying. Our investment in community benefit is huge because it supports priority needs and vulnerable populations.
I know Lutheran is very active in the community. What big events do you have coming up?
We are thrilled to be the official sponsor of the Wheat Ridge Carnation Festival taking place August 8-10. In the parade, we’ll have a fire truck transformed into a high-energy music truck with 50 of our nurses, caregivers, physicians and volunteers walking alongside it. We’ll also have a booth with members from our trauma and cancer services teams present, along with our partners at Mount Saint Vincent. We are also the presenting sponsor of the Arvada Harvest Festival and Parade September 5-7. In December, we’re sponsoring the Wheat Ridge Annual Turkey Trot 5k and have several holiday events we’re sponsoring in Golden. We love taking part in community events! We also can’t forget about our caregivers. To celebrate one year in our new hospital, we’re hosting a huge caregiver BBQ in August, and a Lutheran Fall Fest at the hospital in October.
Do you have positive relationships with other healthcare organizations that serve this community?
Absolutely, and we’re always seeking new opportunities to partner with additional organizations that help our residents live healthy lives. Our Care Management team works closely with numerous community providers to ensure our patients are cared for after they leave our hospital. All our patients are screened for social determinants of health. The screenings focus on five key social drivers of health that profoundly shape patients’ lives and overall well-being — housing stability, food security, transportation, utility assistance and interpersonal safety. Through these screenings we can help connect patients with critical resources, which is why it’s important for us to have these great relationships with other healthcare organizations. We partner with The Senior Resource Center on their Perfect Homecoming program which provides patients with home support after discharge, allowing seniors the ability to stay in their homes. We also have partnerships with Bloom Healthcare, Luna Physical Therapy, Food Bank of the Rockies, Colorado HomeDoc, and many more.
