LBJ Hospital hosts Chinese Delegation
Houston (Dec 8, 2016) – Forty-one delegates from China toured Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital to exchange knowledge on administering health care. The delegates, all physicians now in administrative leadership roles across multiple provincial hospitals, were particularly interested in how a county hospital manages patient care and increasing medical costs, especially in cases of under-insured or uninsured patients.
Carmel Dyer, MD, chief of staff at LBJ Hospital and professor of geriatric and palliative medicine with McGovern Medical School at UTHealth, discussed the role the McGovern Medical School has in the partnership with Harris Health. She also spoke to the value of LBJ Hospital as a place for the residents with the medical school to learn and grow.
Tien Ko, MD, chief of surgery at LBJ Hospital and professor of surgery with McGovern Medical School at UTHealth, spoke to the delegation on the role of the physicians as partners with the Harris Health staff as well as the importance of the physician to patient relationships.
“We teach [our residents] to be open and honest – a good relationship is critical,” Ko said.
Members of the administrative and nursing staff then led six groups on a tour of the facility where members of the physician staff were able to highlight their professional areas.
Issa Hanna, DDS, chief and assistant professor of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, showcased some of the innovative thinking and organization at LBJ.
“We put all the head issues together,” Hanna said, pointing out that by grouping the oral and maxillofacial, optometry, and otorhinolaryngology (Ear, Nose, and Throat) clinics together, they are able to streamline issues and pool resources.
The delegation also toured the infusion center, the emergency department, the pharmacy, and the Ambulatory Surgery Center located in the Outpatient Center.
The delegation was overall impressed with the efficiency coupled with the quality care that physicians, nurses, and staff are able to provide.
The delegation was also addressed by Alan Vierling, PhD, executive vice president and administrator of LBJ Hospital; George Masi, president and CEO of Harris Health System; Michael Gardner, MD, executive vice president and administrator of Ambulatory Care Services; Parikshet Babber, MD, executive vice president and chief medical officer at Harris Health System; and Tim Tindle, executive vice president and chief information officer at Harris Health System.