This is an exciting time for a new employee to join Texas Tech Physicians (TTP) because our practice is growing. In the just completed fiscal year, we increased our patient visits by 18,726 visits, which is about 6 percent. Revenues from professional fees increased by 11 percent. My excitement of our practice was really driven home to me last week when I attended a portion of our New Employee Orientation (NEO) and had the opportunity to “say a few words.” It was great to meet and see so many excited people who were eager to get to work, both new employees and existing employees who were there with the new folks. By the way, Natalie Bryant and her team do a terrific job in putting on the NEO.

Our vision is to be a top-tier medical practice nationally recognized in quality patient care, satisfaction and value. But, to do that we need to focus on our values: service excellence, patient first, integrity, respect, innovation and teamwork (or SPIRIT). And when I talk to the members of the team at TTP, you hear that. Our team is made up of individuals who come together to give their best every day and believe that together we are stronger. Whether advising patients on their appointments and health care needs on a regular day-to-day basis or supporting those who work in the business office, marketing, electronic health record, nursing, information application services, patient service or any other department, those here want to work together to deliver the very best that TTP has to offer. They want to be held accountable for what they are asked to do, and they also want to trust one another as they advance our tripartite mission of providing high quality educational opportunities to students and health care professionals, advancing knowledge through scholarship and research, and providing patient care and service. It’s a great institution and a superb place to work.

Furthermore, we have our strategy focused on our patients, employees and learners. How to improve our service to our patients and how to make TTP a top place to work seems to be on the mind of most folks with whom I interact. There are many opportunities at TTP. It is a place where if you put forth effort, focus on the key performance indicators, emphasize developing your skills and concentrate on working as a team member and advancing our patients’ interest, as well as those of fellow employees, the opportunities are as big as the West Texas sky!