For those of us in PHMG, these themes feel particularly appropriate this year as we experience a new focus on the medical group as an integral part of PeaceHealth's future success.

Along with that focus come increased autonomy and resources. Among the many signs of this new emphasis, we have secured funding for much needed refurbishing of many of our offices; we have been able to raise the salaries of some of our caregivers that had fallen below market levels; we are poised to hire approximately 30 caregivers to allow us to realize the full potential of MyCare Team (our Primary Care Medical Home Model); we are hiring a workforce for education and training to bolster our efforts to improve and standardize caregiver competency and skills; and finally, a larger than normal amount of PeaceHealth's strategic capital is going toward planning and building clinics so we may expand appropriately in our communities.

So, as you enjoy the warmth of this season with family and loved ones, I invite you to experience also the excitement of a new beginning in our efforts to provide even better care to those we serve.

I wish you Happy Holidays and a wonderful New Year.

See you in 2015!