(Philadelphia, PA, November 8, 2012) – Larry Kaiser, MD, FACS, President and CEO of the Temple University Health System, has been named a “CEO of the Year” at the 2012 Healthcare Innovation Awards, sponsored by the Philadelphia Business Journal. Dr. Kaiser was among three area healthcare CEOs who accepted their awards at a breakfast ceremony on Thursday, November 8, at the Sheraton Hotel in Philadelphia, PA.
“I am honored to accept this distinguished leadership award – which is truly a testament to the unwavering commitment and collective efforts of the physicians and staff of Temple University Health System who continue to work together to transform our enterprise into one of the region’s premier academic medical centers,” said Dr. Kaiser, who is also Dean of Temple University School of Medicine and Senior Executive Vice President of Health Sciences for Temple University.
An internationally renowned academic executive, thoracic surgeon, researcher and educator, Dr. Kaiser joined Temple in April of 2011 to lead its healthcare enterprise – which includes the Health System and School of Medicine.
Understanding that a “business as usual” approach was not sustainable, Dr. Kaiser’s bold strategic plan included service expansion and the recruitment of top physicians to enhance quality of care, clinical capabilities and operational efficiency. He implemented a clinical-effectiveness initiative to reduce variability, eliminate avoidable complications, and decrease resource use. He oversaw the creation of a new Robotics Program and the acquisition of Fox Chase Cancer Center, one of only 41 NCI-designated comprehensive cancer centers in the United States. By 2011, the Health System achieved a break-even operating budget and anticipates posting a positive margin this year.
Dr. Kaiser’s vision for Temple Health also includes the promotion of wellness and the treatment of disease through a patient-centered, multi-disciplinary team approach and the strengthening of research opportunities that advance clinical care. Under his leadership, Temple has pioneered many population-health initiatives, including the training of Community Health Workers, one of the newest and fastest-growing categories of healthcare professionals.
About Temple Health
Temple Health refers to the health, education and research activities carried out by the affiliates of Temple University Health System and by the Lewis Katz School of Medicine.
Temple University Health System (TUHS) is a $1.4 billion academic health system dedicated to providing access to quality patient care and supporting excellence in medical education and research. The Health System consists of Temple University Hospital (TUH), ranked among the “Best Hospitals” in the region by U.S. News & World Report; TUH-Episcopal Campus; TUH-Northeastern Campus; Fox Chase Cancer Center, an NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center; Jeanes Hospital, a community-based hospital offering medical, surgical and emergency services; Temple Transport Team, a ground and air-ambulance company; and Temple Physicians, Inc., a network of community-based specialty and primary-care physician practices. TUHS is affiliated with the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University.
The Lewis Katz School of Medicine (LKSOM), established in 1901, is one of the nation’s leading medical schools. Each year, the School of Medicine educates approximately 720 medical students and 140 graduate students. Based on its level of funding from the National Institutes of Health, the Lewis Katz School of Medicine is the second-highest ranked medical school in Philadelphia and the third-highest in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. According to U.S. News & World Report, LKSOM is among the top 10 most applied-to medical schools in the nation.