The healthcare industry was at the middle of everything during the pandemic. It experienced a seismic change, transforming all aspects of the healthcare system. It has been widening in an unprecedented fashion. With the positive changes, the industry has faced challenges. However, despite multiple challenges, the industry has staunchly served people. The industry continues to alleviate human suffering, whilst maintaining an overall healthy community.
David Goldberg, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mon Health System, strongly believes in community health and customer feedback that drives development for both the patient and provider. David has served the healthcare industry for a considerable period, a truly passionate entrepreneur in the business. The following cover story paints the picture of this entrepreneur’s success story – how he became one of the finest leaders of the healthcare industry with a rich experience.
About David Goldberg
David Goldberg serves as Mon Health System’s President and Chief Executive Officer, as well as Executive Vice President of Vandalia Health. David has nearly 20 years of senior healthcare leadership experience. He previously served as Senior Vice President with Highmark Health’s Allegheny Health Network (AHN), ran two hospitals as interim-CEO and former interim-President of Highmark Home and Community Services (HMHCS) in Pittsburgh, PA.
David’s extensive healthcare administrative background includes serving as President of two hospitals and Service Line Executive for Cardiovascular and Behavioral Health Services at Tenet Health’s Baptist Health System in San Antonio, TX. He also served in various senior roles ending as System Pediatric Vice President and Administrator with Inova Health System at Inova Children’s Hospital in Falls Church, VA.
David earned his master’s degree in health systems management from George Mason University and a bachelor’s degree in political science from West Virginia University. A recipient of several professional awards, he remained active in healthcare, professionally and in community activities throughout his career. More recently, David has become the Fairmont State University Vice Chair, serves on the WV Hospital Association Board, Chair for Hazel House of Hope, Highmark Caring Place Board, Advisory Board member for West Virginia University School of Public Health and Eberly College of Arts and Sciences, Board of Directors for Morgantown Area Partnership, and a member of the Board for the Marion County Chamber of Commerce.
David and his wife Noel, also a WVU graduate, have two daughters, Reagan and Ryan.
Source of Inspiration
David is a former Shriners’ patient, which eventually makes healthcare personal to him. He draws inspiration from his college years and professional opportunities that helped him to work and make things better. His parents have instilled a helping and improvement-driven mindset and that is how he supports others in their journey and mission.
On Current Business Scenario
Healthcare is a much-needed industry. Not only that, it is an immensely under pressure industry. The mission to bolster the opportunity to heal, help, and foster wellness is impracticable without the right alignment between patient and provider. With the shift from volume to value-based care and the growing focus on population health, the hard work should be fastened on to improve outcomes and community wellness whilst the business model pays on a “sick care” base. In due course, this evolution can bring about cost reduction, also ensuring proper utilization of services while enhancing overall outcomes.
Challenges Company is Facing
There are slew of challenges our company is confronting – the post-pandemic world, the “great resignation”, the stress caregivers feel delivering care, and economic head winds – all these factors are playing in and impacting the pillars of stability and sustainability. Narrowing the focus on service and quality brings about revenue, and we have never been more energized about what the future will bring for improved cost of care, workforce development, and community health.
Company’s Establishment
Mon Health System was formed in 1982 to aid in strategic planning and to manage all its affiliated entities under one common philosophy.
On Motivation and Productivity in Workspace
It is important to reflect upon customer feedback; hence, we always review what our customers say and feel. We have colleagues, patients, providers, family members, and community neighbors that we gauge our progress through. Buildings do not treat people, people treat people, so we need to be focused on our patients and colleagues to maintain a positive environment to help and heal. Criticism or disagreement are vital feedback to learn from. You cannot fix an issue if you do not know there is one and we must ensure that we listen and pay attention to all our stakeholders. A just culture is vital to ensure balance and access for all points of view to improve the experience for the patient, colleague, and community.
Customer Satisfaction and the Impact of Customer Feedback on the Company’s Strategy
We survey patients as they use inpatient or outpatient services throughout the healthcare journey. We also have patient family advisory councils to ensure the patient perspective is always in the center of what we do. The customers feedback and insights are always vital. We cannot do what we do without ensuring we hear the positives and opportunities our patients experience. Healthcare is a core necessity and mission driven. A healthy community is defined by socio-economic, health status, and positive infrastructure so we need to stay focused on our patients’ well-being.
Products and Services
Mon Health System, part of Vandalia Health, is an integrated network of physician clinics, outpatient centers and hospitals in North Central West Virginia that works together to make healthcare more accessible and affordable to the communities it serves. It includes six hospitals – its flagship, Mon Health Medical Center in Morgantown; Mon Health Preston Memorial Hospital in Kingwood; Mon Health Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital in Weston; Mon Health Marion Neighborhood Hospital in White Hall; affiliate, Grafton City Hospital in Grafton; affiliate, Highland-Clarksburg Hospital in Harrison County; Mon Health – DASCO Home Medical Equipment in Morgantown and Weston; and The Village at Heritage Point. Mon Health System is also part of many Joint Ventures such as Acuity Hospital of Morgantown, Monongalia EMS, Amedisys Hospice, Care Partners, Intermed Labs, Encompass, and the Mon Health Center for Outpatient Surgery to preserve choice, improve access, and ensure the highest quality of care. We are a community hospital system with over 75 years providing for our neighbors.
Launching New Products and Services
Mon Health System has recently been approved to build a small format hospital in Bridgeport to serve the greater Harrison County community called Mon Health Harrison Neighborhood Hospital. The new hospital is expected to be a nearly 20,000 square foot, one-story facility.
Advice for Budding Entrepreneurs in the Business
I am honored to be recognized, but a leader is not just a leader due to title. I am here because I have an outstanding group of Board Members, colleagues, stakeholders, family, and friends who are honest with me, supportive of our mission, vision, and values, and aligned in our community-based organization’s mission of enhancing the health of the communities we serve, one person at a time. It is a huge hurdle, but our purpose is vital day in and day out. I love my Mon Health System and Vandalia Health family and honored to be a part of the team of 12,000 colleagues caring for our friends and neighbors respectfully, compassionately, and empathetically.
