York General Uses Its Commitment to Culture to Drive Patient Outcomes

York General has a team of 500+ employees, and every single one goes through culture orientation as part of their onboarding process. This establishes the importance of a work environment centered around support for the people working around them, as well as the patients they serve.

“I could talk about the people who work at York General forever,” says Morgan Peterson, Marketing Engagement Director at York General. “We have so much longevity here. We frequently recognize people for 30 years and even 45 years of service.”

York General averages 53,000 patient visits per year, with 15 to 20 daily emergency room visits. It serves not only York County, Nebraska, but also the surrounding areas. With a people-centric culture, its team of doctors, nurses, and support staff is a well-oiled machine, bringing healthcare to the region. 

A Healthy Workplace Culture Prevents Burnout

One reason why the leadership at York General is so focused on culture is to prevent staff burnout. While burnout rates spiked amongst healthcare providers during the COVID-19 pandemic and have since dropped, doctors and nurses still report high levels of stress and exhaustion. One study found 60% of nurses have high stress levels and burnout, while another reported signs of burnout in 45.2% of physicians.

“Medical professionals need to love where they work, otherwise, they get burned out,” says Peterson. “The jobs are demanding, and patient load is high.”

When medical staff are burned out, they are more likely to leave the field. Institutions known for stressful work environments will have higher turnover rates and struggle to hire staff. This is why longevity is such an important culture indicator at York General. 
 
The Association of American Medical Colleges estimates a deficit of 86,000 physicians by 2036. York General wants to ensure its current doctors continue to work there and more physicians choose York in an increasingly competitive talent environment.   

Engaged Healthcare Providers Drive Better Results

Staffing at York General is important for residents because they can see medical care providers faster and have more time to discuss their needs. Burnout prevention also contributes to the patient experience and can lead to better outcomes.

“Our team takes ownership in everything they do,” says Peterson. “They take pride in caring for their neighbors. We want to provide great service to our community and to each other.”

York General offers the entire continuum of care, from ER visits to preventative screenings and treatment for chronic illness. Residents will use York General's services in some way throughout their lives, from taking their first breaths as babies in the delivery room to aging in place at the upcoming independent living facility.  

“We want to provide everything you need, healthcare-wise,” says Peterson. “York General looks at the needs of the community and asks how it can help.”

Along with the new independent living facility, York General recently purchased the medical clinic, which will be named York General Family Medicine. It will also have full ownership of the current York Quick Clinic, which will be named York General Urgent Care.  

Quality Medical Services Bring Care to the Community

Access to a facility like York General also benefits the community by creating local healthcare access. Residents don’t have to travel to Lincoln or Omaha for care. Instead, they can get the services and treatment they need without leaving York County.

“Having the wide range of services available right here in York allows our community members to stay here,” says Peterson. “We kind of forget how blessed we are. There are a lot of towns our size that don’t have our state-of-the-art equipment and services.”

Peterson adds that York's small-town nature means that patients are often treated by their friends and neighbors, which increases the trust between the two. Patients can feel more comfortable discussing their health, trust that their providers are listening, and want to provide the best possible care.

When specialty care is required, the team at York General has patients covered. The Specialty Clinic calendar is filled with experts traveling to York from across Nebraska — including Lincoln, Omaha, and Hastings. Patients can meet with orthopedic experts, cardiologists, dermatologists, or any other care provider available. 

Discover Why York County is a Great Place to Live

Physicians and other healthcare workers choose York General because of its positive workplace culture, but also because they enjoy the York community as a whole. The presence of these medical providers attracts other families who want to enjoy rural living while maintaining their healthcare access. Everyone works together to make York County a desirable place to live, from OB/GYNs bringing babies into York to coffee baristas and service providers.

Get to know the rest of the York community and see why more people are choosing York County. You have a future here and can change the lives of those around you.