Stamford Health is the area’s largest independent health system, focused on providing expert, compassionate care to patients in Stamford, Darien and Lower Fairfield County. Founded in 1896, the system is anchored by the 305-bed acute care Stamford Hospital, rated #1 in Fairfield County by U.S. News & World Report, and has a growing ambulatory network including four multispecialty centers, a medical group with more than 200 physicians and advanced practice providers in 40 offices throughout Fairfield County. With approximately 4,000 employees, Stamford Health is the largest employer in the City of Stamford, has an operating budget of close to $1 billion, and contributes more than $1 billion a year to the local economy.
Kathleen Silard will discuss the business rationale of why an independent hospital serves its communities better than a large roll-up conglomerate chain. Stamford Health has two especially important characteristics: (1) it provides innovative and strategic partnerships to better serve its communities along with world-class organizations such as Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS), Dana-Farber/Brigham Cancer Center and Columbia University Irving Medical Center; and (2) it is one of the few profitable hospitals in the region.
Kathy began her career as a nurse in the pediatrics and the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Albert Einstein Hospital in New York before entering the field of healthcare administration. After serving as executive vice President and chief operating officer since 2003, she was promoted to president & CEO of Stamford Health in 2018. In these leadership roles, Kathleen provided the vision and leadership which resulted in the creation of the Stamford Health system and the on-time, under-budget development of the $450 million Stamford Hospital in 2016. She currently serves on the board of directors for various healthcare organizations, including the Connecticut Governor’s Workforce Council, AdvanceCT and Greater New York Hospital Association. She is also on the executive committee of the Connecticut Hospital Association and is the recipient of several awards recognizing her dedication to local service in the community.
Summary
Kathleen Silard, President & CEO of Stamford Health System, provided a wide-ranging discussion on the challenges and opportunities facing modern healthcare and the importance of maintaining an independent regional hospital system. She described Stamford Health as a mission-driven nonprofit organization deeply rooted in the communities of Stamford, Darien and lower Fairfield County.
Founded in 1896, Stamford Health has evolved from a small local hospital into a major healthcare network that includes a 305-bed flagship hospital, more than 1,000 physicians, over 40 ambulatory locations and approximately 4,100 employees. Kathy emphasized that the organization’s independence allows local leaders — not distant corporate offices or shareholders — to make decisions based on community needs. During the COVID-19 crisis, for example, Stamford Health was able to act quickly and independently to serve the needs of the region.
Throughout the presentation, Kathy stressed the importance of quality, trust, and community engagement. She linked her emphasis on quality of care and empathy for patients to the fact that she began her career as a neonatal intensive care nurse before moving into healthcare administration.
Stamford Health has earned numerous distinctions, including recognition as Fairfield County’s top hospital by U.S. News & World Report, a “Magnet” nursing designation, Leapfrog “A” safety ratings, and a five-star CMS quality ranking. She asserted that maintaining exceptional care standards is the key to competing successfully against much larger healthcare systems in the Connecticut market.
Kathy also outlined the organization’s strategic partnerships with leading institutions such as Hospital for Special Surgery, Columbia University and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, which allow Stamford Health to bring world-class specialty care close to local patients in Darien and surrounding communities. Looking ahead, she described plans for a new 70,000 square foot cancer center, expanded behavioral health services, upgraded rehabilitation facilities, and continued investment in advanced medical technology and outpatient care throughout the region.