CEO Message

Written by John G. Hill, president and CEO

The month of November is very significant to me because it represents many transitions in my personal life.  My 8-year-old daughter and I share November as our birthday month.   For us, November signifies another year of life.  My four oldest children celebrate the conclusion of another lawn mowing season and look forward to the upcoming basketball season. The last fall leaf that falls from the tree symbolizes a farewell to one season and the initial greeting to another.   The most significant aspect of the month for my family and I is that November ushers in the season of tradition, bringing that of the past into the future.

Like many of you, this time of year brings rich and vivid memories of holiday seasons past.  Wonderful memories of family, food and fun are always near the surface of my thoughts.  I can remember the beginning of each November when my parents purchased large bags of smoked almonds and a big box of mixed citrus fruit.  These simple, yet delicious snacks represented memories of past holiday celebrations from both sides of my parent's families where money, gifts and luxury were not always available. The salty, smoked flavor of the almonds and the sweet and tart citrus remind me that traditions and holiday memories are built around people and rarely around things.

The same is true for my professional family at The Medical Center of Aurora and Centennial Medical Plaza. As I near the completion of my third year in my role with the hospital, I have learned so much about the rich tradition and heritage of our organization.  I am most impressed with the people that continually remind me of the tradition of care in our hospital and facilities.  The physicians, nurses and ancillary staff tirelessly contribute to a compassionate and caring environment for our patients.  Such an environment has earned our organization a spot in the top 10 percent of all HCA hospitals for patient satisfaction during the second quarter of 2009.  Upon hearing of this recognition, one of our more seasoned members of the medical staff recounted to me that Aurora Presbyterian (North Campus) and Aurora Community Hospital (South Campus), both had excellent patient satisfaction as a result of the competition between the two facilities.  He said, "This recognition of excellent patient satisfaction is the result of a tradition of caring for people in this institution for more than three decades."

I look forward to keeping the tradition of excellent patient satisfaction alive within our organization well into the future.  I also look forward to smoked almonds and citrus along with Mexican food during my family's upcoming holiday traditions.  The Mexican food is a new tradition my wife brought to our marriage, one that is as popular as the almonds and oranges for my children.  I wish you and yours a wonderful holiday season full of rich tradition and memories.