Rochester’s legacy of innovation inspires our future in health care

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There’s something about Rochester that captivates those who understand the power of innovation. This city has been a beacon of ingenuity for generations—a place where ideas are not just born but cultivated into industries shaping the world. From optics and imaging to advanced manufacturing and technology, Rochester has long been a city of creators, problem-solvers, and bold thinkers.

This legacy of innovation inspires how we lead at Rochester Regional Health in 2025. Our stated purpose to uplift humanity through care for our community drives us to reimagine how health care can and should serve people continually.

Health care is evolving rapidly, and in a region like Rochester, we have an extraordinary opportunity to lead that evolution.

A year of action and innovation

As we enter 2025, Rochester Regional Health stands at a pivotal moment. Two years ago, our health system faced daunting financial challenges, losing $1 million a day. Today, we are on track to maintaining a balanced budget through disciplined financial management, clinical excellence, and bold innovation. This isn’t just a financial turnaround — it’s a signal of what’s possible when a community rallies behind a shared purpose.

This year, we are deepening our commitment to building a 21st-century model of health care — one that prioritizes individualized care, expands access, and leverages technology to improve outcomes. Recent expansions like the one-of-a-kind full-service Women’s Health and Wellness Center in Pittsford and the Victor Medical Campus are bringing advanced care closer to where people live, making care more accessible and dynamic with the ability to adapt as populations shift and the community’s needs change.

Patients are scheduling appointments directly on our website and we’re seeing patients the same day with our online Express Care offering. Virtual care is also within our acute care settings, assisting frontline nurses with discharge planning and provide virtual backup. It’s through these innovations we’re not only meeting patients where they are, but we’re also adding capacity to better serve the community.

Our investments in digital innovation are transforming patient experiences — from faster, safer discharges to personalized care plans that address the whole person. Our future lies in forging new pathways through population health and value-based care, which reflects our willingness to take strategic risks that broaden care options and keep our communities healthy.

Health care’s crossroads: Opportunity in disruption

The health care industry is at a crossroads. Nationally, we face mounting financial pressures, workforce shortages, and the need for models that better serve diverse communities. Disruptors are entering the marketplace, challenging traditional systems to adapt or be left behind.

But here’s the opportunity: Rochester has always excelled in moments of disruption. Our region’s unique blend of urban and rural communities mirrors the complexity of health care challenges nationwide. If we can solve these challenges here — improving health equity, integrating technology, and fostering community partnerships — we can set a national standard for how health care systems thrive in the face of change.

Health care is, at its core, about people. To care for people effectively, we must first care for each other. That’s why Rochester Regional Health is cultivating a culture of belonging — where every team member feels valued and empowered and every patient feels known, heard, and cared for.

Leadership rooted in purpose and community

My leadership philosophy is deeply influenced by this region’s history and promise. Rochester is where ideas take flight, industries are built, and community matters. As a leader, I strive to reflect that spirit, balancing strategic decision-making with the understanding that our success is built on people working together toward a common goal.

You may recall the slogan, “I’d rather be in Rochester — it’s got it!” Over forty years later, this still holds true. This city has it: a legacy of innovation, a resilient spirit, and a community that believes in building something better. That belief fuels my confidence that Rochester Regional Health can be a national model of health and healing.

In 2025, we are not just responding to change but shaping it. We’re leaning into the challenges ahead with purpose and a shared commitment to care for our community in ways that reflect the best of Rochester’s innovative spirit.

To my fellow business leaders across the region, I invite you to join us in this work. The future of health care, like the future of Rochester, depends on bold ideas, collaborative partnerships, and an unwavering belief in the power of community.

Rochester has it. And we’re here for it.

Richard “Chip” Davis, PhD, is the CEO of Rochester Regional Health.

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