Susan Fox, president and CEO
(part of the Montefiore Health System)
41 E. Post Road, White Plains
914-681-0600
What was your path to becoming a CEO?
“I began my career in health care as a pediatric ICU nurse after earning a B.S. in Nursing from Columbia University. Taking care of patients prior to becoming an administrator gave me important insight into what it takes to provide truly great care to patients. In order to become a catalyst for change and improve patient care and outcomes, I set my sights on a path toward health-care administration. After earning an M.B.A. in that field from Baruch College/Mount Sinai School of Medicine (now the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai), I became a health-care consultant at Ernst & Young ”“ an experience that provided me with further insight into the financial, organizational and strategic challenges and opportunities involved in providing better patient care. In 1997, I joined what is now Northwell Health, where I worked at the corporate level as senior vice president for physician and ambulatory care. In that position I helped in the formation of the health system with a focus on clinical program development, integration and physician management. In 2010, I was presented with the opportunity to join White Plains Hospital and work with its board of directors to develop a strategy that would include solidifying the hospital”™s importance to the community. Within three years, I was asked to take on the role of president of the organization with the understanding that I would succeed the retiring CEO. That occurred in 2015.”
What makes White Plains Hospital distinctive?
“Our leadership, medical staff and 4,000 staff members have a strong commitment to our community and that shows in how we care for our patients. Ours is a culture that nurtures growth and opportunity and we have world-class talent that truly delivers on our brand promise of ”˜Exceptional, Every Day.”™ We continue to transform our hospital and expand our geographic footprint to be able to provide our growing community with the high-quality care it needs, provided by local physicians whom they know and trust. In addition, we have worked incredibly hard to add new programs and services and enhance the scope of care we provide ”“ close to home ”“ and, as a result, our hospital continues to be recognized nationally for achievements in patient satisfaction, safety and quality of care.”
What are its specialties?
“We are a full-service provider and treat everything from preventative and routine care to the most complex of needs. We have become a destination for comprehensive cardiac care in the Hudson Valley ”“ with two cardiac catherization labs, a world-class electrophysiology program and a recently launched cardiac surgery program. For many years, we were the only hospital in Westchester to have a standalone cancer center. We have since expanded our dedicated cancer facilities and built on the care we provide by offering the latest in diagnostic approaches ”“ including PET MRI, the most advanced treatment options such as the Varian EDGE to target and treat tumors precisely, innovative procedures and novel drugs to create a successful clinical trials program. We have been a leader in bringing advanced surgical procedures to our hospital and have expanded programs in surgical oncology and many other areas such as vascular, neurosurgery and orthopedics to meet the evolving needs of our community. Additionally, we have a comprehensive Maternal Child program ”“ featuring a level III neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), one of the most advanced in the Hudson Valley.”
Increasingly, hospitals are becoming part of health-care systems. What are the advantages of such networks?
“In 2015, we became a member of the Montefiore Health System. White Plains Hospital was part of the Stellaris Network with three other Westchester-based community hospitals prior to this new partnership. Our goal with Montefiore is to offer a higher level of care to our community, providing our patients with the right level of care in the right location. For example, if a patient needs a liver transplant, our physicians will see the patient for all their presurgical and postsurgical care in Westchester, but we utilize the expertise of the transplant surgeons at Montefiore for the actual surgery. Regarding our new cardiac surgery program, we have internationally renowned surgeons from Montefiore performing those procedures right here in White Plains. This partnership has improved access to care and contributes positively to the overall cost of care.”
What do you see in the future for your hospital?
“In addition to addressing the evolving needs of our community and bringing more complex and advanced care to the region, we understand that good care is not limited to care provided in the hospital. Over the last few years, we have worked to make sure that patient care is coordinated both outside and inside the hospital. We have established a new division, WPH Cares, to stay connected with our patients after they leave the hospital to allow for the continued coordination of care. In this way we work to ensure patients are able to follow their plan of care and, as important, are connecting with their physicians in the ambulatory environment ”“ giving the patient the benefit of the entire team caring for them. Innovations like telehealth and remote monitoring for patients with certain chronic conditions, like hypertension, are examples of patients with ongoing needs that can be monitored 24/7 to ensure a swift path back to good health, or to assist patients with the burden of managing chronic conditions. At White Plains Hospital, we are always focused on providing the best care possible. This mindset has allowed us to grow and expand at a rapid pace and provides our patients with confidence that they will receive the highest-quality care, when and where they need it.”
For more, visit wphospital.org.
