In a time of turmoil in the healthcare industry (actually, it's always such a time), what are solid strategies for growth? That will be one of the hot topics at Bisnow's Seattle Healthcare Forum on June 29 at the Four Seasons Seattle.

Virginia Mason Health System CEO Gary Kaplan, who will be a speaker, tells us Virginia Mason is looking at growth in a variety of ways. "First, it's essential that we ensure all our fundamentals are in place and they align with our long-term focus on operational excellence. Any patient who wants to come to Virginia Mason should have easy and smooth access at any time."

He says Virginia Mason is focused on strong partnerships. "We're strengthening existing partnerships, while also developing new ones. We're also growing with new sites and services in our primary delivery system areas."

Gary adds: "We have recently grown from a single-hospital system to a two-hospital system, and are focused on seamless integration and execution of our newest hospital, Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital." Yakima Memorial affiliated with Virginia Mason at the beginning of this year. Clinical areas designated for integration and/or enhancement include primary care, digestive diseases, heart, cancer, neurosciences and orthopedics.

Another speaker will be CHI Franciscan Health chief strategy, integration and innovation officer Tom Kruse. He tells us "Franciscan’s growth trajectory is focused on two key aspects: proliferation of regional, destination-level clinical service lines and institutes, and portfolio enhancement that enables high performance in managing the health of populations."

Tom explains near-term efforts are focused on recruitment and retention of primary care providers, creation of ambulatory centers and consumer-oriented access points, and investments in linking all the core and esoteric aspects of a care continuum for the most common diseases and conditions. "These efforts will allow our caregivers to not only offer enhanced quality and safety, but a better consumer experience and overall level of service."

Come hear more at our Seattle Healthcare Forum on June 29, beginning at 7:30am with schmoozing and breakfast, at the Four Seasons Seattle. Sign up here.