We continue to increase the visits at our practices. During the second quarter of fiscal year 2018, there were 160,261 patient visits (compared with 148,424 during the same period for fiscal year 2017). That represents a 7 percent increase. We can attribute this to an increase in our faculty and mid-level providers, as well as improved access to care.

We continue to enhance patient communication using the MyUFHealth patient portal. At the end of December, there were 66,444 users (compared with 63,196 at the end of September). Patients can now make credit card payments through this portal, which is an added convenience.

We are looking at different ways to optimize access to our specialty services at the Emerson and north campus locations. More information will come soon.

Over the next year, we will be laser-focused on three areas, with several committees actively working to address them:

• Improved access to care
• Patient satisfaction
• Provider satisfaction and wellness

We will strive to be the region’s most valuable health care asset.