All the challenges of a national economy in turmoil are compounded when you live and work in a region of the country already to struggling to replace its historic manufacturing economy with new jobs and new ideas.

Therein lies both the problem and the solution for Kaleida Health System, especially under the leadership of president and CEO, Jim Kaskie. Mr. Kaskie’s philosophy?  You don’t wait for things to get better; you make them better. And that often means doing things differently than you have in the past. Across its wide network Kaleida constantly reviews the value of its services and the needs of the community. Things change, and they change often. But always with a purpose and a plan.

Like everything else, accreditation became a topic of review. In moving forward, Kaleida decided that its old approach to accreditation was holding it back. New ideas were summoned. DNV Accreditation was chosen – for all of its hospitals – after a disciplined, transparent review of every option available. The results are palpable throughout the organization, among clinical staff and administrators who now prize DNV’s more collaborative approach to surveys and its emphasis organic innovation . . . challenging each hospital to determine what works for them and what doesn’t, and holding them accountable for improving, even if just a little, every single day.