A New Year’s message from University Health President and CEO, Charlie Shields

This year, University Health treated more patients than at any time in its history. Nearly 150,000 people were seen by our health professionals, almost 50 years after what was then Truman Medical Center opened its doors. Many of those came to us critically ill. Most of those have complex or chronic diseases. Yes, that's a huge number.

Providing academic medicine for all of those patients, regardless of ability to pay, is no easy feat. It takes commitment from each member of our staff to our unique mission, recruiting and retaining doctors so smart they're able to train physicians of the future, and following through on our promise to make each dollar count and be incredible stewards of public funds we receive.

In places like our trauma bays, our cancer center, our brand-new mom-baby unit and our cardiac center, we're saving lives, bringing new lives into the world, and providing hope…sometimes for people who never thought hope was possible for them. But it is here.

As we prepare to serve even more patients in 2026, thank you in advance to our staff, our supporters, and every patient and family member who places their trust in us.

Happy New Year,

Charlie