Northwest Health has released its annual community benefit report, outlining the contributions it made to the health of its patients and the impact on the region’s economy last year.
Over the course of 2023, Northwest Health shared that the organization provided care at 933,400 patient encounters across its three hospitals, Northwest Medical Group and other sites of care.
As a major employer and tax-payer, the report shows the organization was a significant contributor to the economic health of the region with the health system’s impact totaling $433,933,000 in 2023.
In 2023, the system provided $79,482,000 in charity and uncompensated care for the community’s most vulnerable and payed $49,659,000 in taxes that support civic resources and services. Northwest Health has strong ties to the community and provides support in many ways. Some of last year’s highlights included donations to local food pantries and shelters, as well as providing free health and wellness seminars to the community.
“At Northwest Health we are dedicated to helping improve the health of people throughout the region; working around the clock, every day of the year to help people get well and live healthier,” said James Leonard, DO, FACEP, chief executive officer for Northwest Health - Porter. “Our dedicated team of physicians, nurses and many others are committed to delivering top quality care and excellent service.
Northwest Health applied its resources to medical services, facilities and technologies that are important to its patients. While continuing to support neonatal intensive care units at both Northwest Health – L Porte and Northwest Health – Porter, the health system, added a maternal-fetal medicine specialty to care for high-risk pregnancies and began providing maternal-fetal transport to bring women who are experiencing pregnancy complications to a higher level of care at Northwest Health – Porter. Access was expanded with the opening of a new primary care office in Valparaiso, and the recruitment of 21 new providers, including four new cardiologists in La Porte County. Additionally, capital improvements totaling $8,199,000 helped add new equipment and technology throughout.
The system reported a payroll of $296,593,000 that helped the local economy as employees bought goods and services. Investments were made to help employees achieve their personal and professional goals through assistance with student loan repayments and tuition reimbursement.
The report also showed that developing future doctors was a priority for the system. As part of its new Graduate Medical Education program, Northwest Health welcomed its first class of family medicine physician residents in 2023. The hospitals also educated more than 800 nurses and other clinicians; serving as a teaching site for 12 colleges.
“The vital care we provide is only one part of our broad impact,” said Simon Ratliff, interim CEO for Northwest Health - La Porte and Starke. “We recognize that our services are essential and that we are committed to doing all we can to provide excellent medical care services and to make Northwest Indiana a healthier, better community for all.”
To help the community live healthier, Northwest Health offers a free monthly e-newsletter with health and wellness information. To sign up, visit nwhealthin.com/enewsletter-sign-up.
To review the Northwest Health 2023 Community Benefit Report, visit nwhealthin.com/community-benefits
About Northwest Health
Northwest Health is a comprehensive healthcare system committed to providing communities in Northwest Indiana with high-quality, accessible healthcare—from highly specialized care and surgical services to more routine primary care. The system of more than 60 access points includes three hospitals, five emergency departments, urgent care centers, outpatient surgery centers, an ambulance service, and physician offices. A team of more than 3,000 employees work together with the more than 700 physicians on its medical staffs. Northwest Health is owned in part by physicians. For more information, visit NWHealthIN.com.
