During National Corporate Compliance and Ethics Week, Remember That We All Have a Role To Play

A message from Steve Goeser, president and CEO of Methodist Health System

Health care is one of the most complex industries I know. Everything we do is gauged by processes – steps, if you will – to make sure our patients are carefully and appropriately cared for. It’s a system of continuous checks and balances.

It’s a big responsibility and one we don’t take lightly. I bring this message to you as part of National Corporate Compliance and Ethics Week (Nov. 7-13) and want to share with you why compliance is such an important piece of our culture.

At the most basic level, compliance is necessary to meet all of the federal, state and regulatory requirements of running a health care operation. Ultimately, the purpose and primary benefit of health care compliance is to improve patient safety and care.

Compliance doesn’t fall on the shoulders of just one person or one team.  As our corporate compliance program policy states: “All employees and agents of Methodist Health System are responsible for supporting the Corporate Compliance Program.” That’s why it’s so important that everyone understands the Corporate Compliance Program and their role in supporting it. 

The Corporate Compliance Program allows us to maintain the high reputation of Methodist and supports a culture of ethical and compliant behavior. It helps us continue to provide The Meaning of Care, which is at the root of who we are and what we do.

As I mentioned, compliance is a team effort. For us to be successful, we all have to be in alignment. I encourage each of you to be mindful of what’s happening around you. If you witness practices that are not consistent with who we are and what we stand for, report them.

Behaviors that aren’t consistent with our Corporate Compliance Program should be reported to your supervisor, the vice president of compliance or the chief compliance officer. Reports can also be made anonymously through our third party reporting tool, Lighthouse, by calling 877-640-0005 (English) or 800-216-1288 (Spanish), or electronically using the MHS Compliance Reporting link on the corporate compliance page. All reports received are assessed, investigated and handled confidentially.

In observation of the coming week, I urge you to visit our corporate compliance page, as important articles about compliance and other related topics will be posted daily. There will be an activity at the end of the week with a prize drawing for all who participate.

We certainly celebrate and commend the work of our compliance team members this week, but compliance should be a daily practice for all of us. The team helps ensure we all understand our obligations, but it’s up to each of us to live up to and fulfill our mission. 

Consistently following the compliance program we have in place assures our patients and each other that the reputation Methodist has built over our nearly 130 years in the community remains on solid ground. I thank you for your ongoing commitment to greatness.