Worcester Business Journal

22 2022 Economic Forecast • Worcester Business Journal • www.wbjournal.com H E A LT H C A R E Mary Hsieh CEO Mass Advantage in Worcester Understanding the perspectives of both patients and doctors can be a hard road to navigate, but Hsieh believes active listening is key. Hsieh is at the helm of Mass Advantage, a new insurance offered by UMass Memorial Health with its partners Shields Managed Care Solutions, LLC in Stoughton, and WCAS CM Holdings LLC of Delaware. Hsieh is excited to build a new program from the ground up, based on members' needs and feedback. From stream- lining communication between providers and patients to offering a Hospital at Home program and com- prehensive dental/eye care initiatives, she is looking for out-of-the-box ways to serve Worcester County members. Greg Mirhej Vice president of behavioral health Harrington Healthcare System, in Southbridge and Webster e COVID pandemic took a dras- tic toll on an already struggling and underfunded behavioral healthcare system. In the wake of lockdowns, a greater need for psychiatric help is oen met with endless waiting lists and bed shortages. rough his work at Harrington Healthcare, Mirhej is doing his part to find solutions in this ever-growing health crisis. Re- cently, UMass Memorial Health-Harrington in Webster expanded its adult psychiatric unit for a total capacity of 40 beds. Increased emergency boarders combined with lack of resources and staffing shortages, is creating a nightmare scenario for patients, families, and health professionals. Mirhej is up for the challenge and is find- ing ways to provide services to those in desperate need. Dr. Jessica Simons Associate professor of surgery at UMass Medical School Program director of vascular surgery residency at UMass Memorial Health, in Worcester Since becoming the first female vas- cular surgeon ever hired by UMass Memorial Health in 2013, Simons has seen a gender evolution in her field. In eight short years, UMass Memorial's vascular department went from having only one female surgeon to now being a female-majority department. Simons is passionate about her life-saving work and enjoys finding solutions for the unique health needs of her patients. An aging population combined with a future shortage of surgeons, is a healthcare challenge Simons anticipates will take place over the next few decades. She hopes to mitigate this future healthcare challenge through technological innovations and diversity. Three people in health care to meet in 2022 An overwhelmed system COVID exposed the cracks in the healthcare system, and looking into next year, industry officials must address top priorities BY SLOANE M. PERRON WBJ Staff Writer T he coronavirus pandemic is a turning point in history, impacting society for generations to come. In many ways, the pandemic inspired innovation and showed the adaptive abilities of indus- tries. However, the pandemic exacerbated pre-exist- ing cracks in the healthcare system. Compounded by labor shortages, bed shortages, and increased demand, healthcare workers are facing challenges unlike anything they have ever encountered before. Here's what will come in 2022. Outpatient, office-based health care e American healthcare system was already struggling with ways to balance affordability with accessibility to necessary coverage, but these cracks in the system only widened with the onslaught of the pandemic. Overburdened hospitals combined with labor shortages and hospital worker burnout are clogging hospital traffic; however, an emerging model of healthcare may offer some relief. Minimally invasive procedures can be safely performed by med- ical professionals in outpatient, office-based settings. is model is more convenient for patients, reduces hospital traffic, and is ultimately more affordable. e outpatient office model is becoming more popular in Massachusetts, especially during the pandemic when many patients are avoiding crowds and hospitals out of an abundance of caution. Labor shortages & burnout crisis Burnout has long been an obstacle for medical professionals and first responders. e long shis, traumatic events, and adrenaline fatigue healthcare workers already faced on a daily basis further inten- sified during the pandemic. Subsequently, swarths of medical professionals are leaving the field. is is especially prevalent among Massachusetts' EMS and paramedic retention. Low wages combined with over- worked crews are causing an exodus among ambu- lance workers. Rural towns will be the most impacted since they are working with smaller budgets and will have to compete with larger cities for the diminishing pool of EMTs. e industry will need to internally address the mental health, labor, and financial needs of its workers or risk losing many. Hospital bed shortages Hospitals overrun with COVID patients in addition to regular hospital traffic are facing bed shortages, and that was before Saint Vincent Hospital closed 100 beds during its ongoing nurses strike. High demand and workforce shortages are adding to the strain of an already overtaxed industry. Subsequently, the mental health toll of lockdowns, pandemic fears, grief, and layoffs has resulted in an escalated need for behavioral health services. is industry is seeing a significant rise in patients needing mental health services, oentimes on an emergency basis. Bed shortages in behavioral health mean patients in need of resources may be placed on lengthy waiting lists. e behavioral health sector will need to expand. W W Care providers at UMass Memorial Medical Center prepare a COVID testing site. PHOTO | EDD COTE

• Cover