“It takes a village,” is a concept used to acknowledge that it takes more than just the parents to raise a child. It implies that the family itself is part of a larger community from which it draws constant support. 

The same is true as we – an entire village of health care providers, support staff, public service teams, nonprofit service organizations, community leaders and more – work together to meet the important health care needs of the Richmond community. It is a responsibility we take very seriously.

I was honored to join Bon Secours Richmond, the state’s only fully integrated faith-based health system, two months ago as market president. Our community stakeholders, providers and associates have graciously spent countless hours with me, showing how they work tirelessly to fulfill our important Mission. In my time here, I’ve also noticed that while we humbly live our Mission, we don’t always talk about how we’re living up to it; accordingly, the community isn’t always aware of our contributions. 

I joined the ministry just as a misleading narrative cast a pallor on our utilization of the federal 340B Drug Pricing program, our commitment to the community and the quality of care provided at Richmond Community Hospital (RCH). 

This misleading narrative could not be further from the truth. 

The cost savings generated from our participation in the 340B program are used to support our community benefit program. It’s important to note that:

  • These cost savings (not profits) from the purchase of exorbitantly priced, often life-saving drugs from pharmaceutical manufacturers are not from patients or taxpayers, and what Bon Secours reinvests into RCH far exceeds the cost savings generated on its campus. 
  • If we did not have these savings, we would not be able to care for our communities and some facilities could be forced to close or have significantly reduced services. As just one example, 340B helps to offset nearly $330 million in losses incurred since 2019 as Bon Secours provided physician and clinical services across Richmond to anyone who sought it. This program empowers us to provide accessible, affordable, high-quality care, which improves the well-being of our community.
  • This program is critical to our patients. We maintain rigorous oversight and participate in regular voluntary, external and internal audits, as well as federal audits conducted by the Health Resources and Services Administration.

Over the last 10 years, we’ve provided more than $33 million in Community Benefit Investment grants to nonprofit organizations doing important work across the Richmond region. In addition, we’ve invested more than $30 million in RCH directly. 

  • We’ll complete a $16.5 million medical office building at RCH by Dec. 31. It will house a community health and wellness clinic, and an outpatient adult behavioral health program – the first of its kind in the East End – which complements our behavioral health specialty center. 
  • Of our community benefit investments over the last 10 years, nearly 40 percent has been distributed in the East End to address social determinants of health. Some of these investments include:
    • $1.6million to develop a gymnasium available to the public with the Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club;
    • More than $1.34 million to the Supporting East End Entrepreneurship Development (SEED) program supporting 45 small businesses through direct grants, program administrations and coaching, and;
    • $100,000 to Greater Richmond Transit Company to promote community health through transportation with the installation of 14 dedicated bus shelters, and related pedestrian improvements across the East End.

As a faith-based, mission-driven organization, we pride ourselves on providing access to safe, quality, compassionate care, while addressing the social determinants of health, improving the health needs of our community and improving our patient outcomes. In fact, RCH recently achieved national recognition from The Leapfrog Group for its patient quality and safety. This includes:

  • An “A” Patient Safety Grade
  • Recognition as one of 32 Top General Hospitals in the nation
  • Honors for being one of the Best Hospitals for Ethical Billing (recognized by Leapfrog, in partnership with Money)

Amidst our teams’ incredible acts of service, I’ve heard from many that we can do better. And I agree. We’ve been listening and it is our hope that we can meet the challenge of improving the overall health of the East End community. We look forward to introducing a comprehensive plan in early 2023, which will incorporate feedback from the community, pressing health needs that came forward in our triannual Community Health Needs Assessment and recommendations from 15-plus physicians practicing in the East End.

We are immensely grateful for the ongoing support and engagement of the 115-plus community members, leaders and elected officials we’ve met with to understand the concerns of the community. We continue to welcome collaboration to identify and execute long-term, sustainable solutions that will improve the overall health of the East End community. 

Our commitment to you is unwavering, and I’m humbled by this opportunity to lead Bon Secours into its next chapter. 

As we saw during the early challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, communities and organizations can make an extraordinary impact when they come together. We should never forget the positive difference that can be made when we all work together for a common good. Now is no exception. This is an important moment and I hope you’ll join us; it will indeed take a village.

Mike Lutes
Market president
Bon Secours Richmond