EDITORIAL: Good idea – a doctor running a hospital [York Daily Record, Pa.]

May 13--When WellSpan Health sought to replace its retiring president and CEO, Bruce M. Bartels, the health-care giant could have sought an outside perspective, perhaps a leader with connections to the insurance industry or from the political realm. It could have selected an uber-accountant, an MBA well versed in cost-benefit analysis. Or a politician who has the connections to make the system work in its favor.

That might have made sense, from a business standpoint. WellSpan is a massive business -- York County's largest employer with 8,934 staff members working at 68 sites in York and Adams counties and Maryland. Its revenues are more than a billion dollars. It is a high-performance economic engine.

But WellSpan took the opportunity to make a statement, naming Kevin H. Mosser to replace Mr. Bartels .

Dr. Mosser is the first physician to lead the health-care system. A native of Jim Thorpe, he came to York Hospital in 1979 as a family practice resident. He is a board-certified family physician. After practicing in Dallastown for eight years, he joined York Hospital's administration in 1990 and has been a vital member of the health-care system's management of physicians.

He comes to the job with a background in medicine, not business. Make no mistake, he is not a neophyte when it comes to WellSpan's business. He has served in a number of executive positions and was essentially WellSpan's second-in-command when he was picked to succeed Mr. Bartels, serving as executive vice president and chief operating officer.

That experience should also serve him -- and our community -- well as he guides WellSpan through what are sure to be turbulent waters. As you may have heard, the health care industry is facing some changes in the next few years.

Having a physician at the helm should mean that WellSpan, no matter what changes are coming down the pike, will keep its focus on caring for patients and serving our community. The system is well positioned to do so, with its focus on decentralizing health care with more satellite clinics, surgery centers and urgent care facilities.

And having a leader who represents continuity and has knowledge of the community is also reassuring. Dr. Mosser understands WellSpan's role in the community and the importance in maintaining that as health care enters this new era under the Affordable Care Act of 2010, also known as Obamacare.

The next few years may be difficult as more demands are placed on the health-care system by an aging population and pressure is exerted to control costs.

Dr. Mosser's experience -- as an executive and a physician -- seems well-tailored to meet that challenge.

WellSpan's reach

--14,300 patients cared for each week.

--$1.2 billion in revenue.

--$450 million annual payroll (approximate).

--8,934 staff members, including 1,871 nurses.

--105,000 emergency department visits.

--27,173 surgery cases.

--3,513 babies born.

--$20.2 million in charity care.

- Numbers as of May 3, 2013

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