It happens every year.  Around this time each December, we are hurrying about with preparations for the holidays and—if we give ourselves time to think—wondering where the year went.  Certainly, at UT Health Physicians the time went by quickly because we have been very busy! 

The number of new patients to UT Health Physicians continues to grow.  In fiscal year 2019, we saw 1.7 million patients!  Just five years ago we were seeing 1.2 million patients annually. We are also expanding our presence in the community; in addition to the Medical Arts & Research Center, we have 13 satellite locations within San Antonio, of which several opened in 2019.  UT Health Physicians now numbers over 800 physicians and 200 advanced practice providers in more than 100 different medical and surgical specialties, offering the latest in treatments for almost every disease. 

We have embarked on a major initiative, collaborating with private physicians in an Accountable Care Organization (ACO) that sets high standards for quality of care and resource utilization, improving health outcomes for our Medicare patients.  We are committed to the concept of Value Based Care for all our patients--keeping patients healthy with effective management and treatments that avoid hospitalizations and emergency room visits.

You, the providers and staff of UT Health Physicians, are having a positive impact on the health of the residents of San Antonio and beyond. Every member of our team, whether in the front lines of the practices or in the essential support roles in Health IT, the Quality Team, Managed Care, Revenue Cycle, Executive Administration and Finance, or Telecommunications, contributes daily to our mission of “taking care of people.”

So, in this season of “giving,” please pause, look back and note how much you, working individually and as a member of a team, have given to our patients to “make their lives better.” Yes, we do it with great medical care, but we also do it with a kind word, a gentle touch, a caring smile, a sympathetic ear. 

Be proud of what you have accomplished; be humbled by the effect you have had on others. Have a wonderful and blessed holiday season.