THE ONE UMMS JOURNEY

Over the past several years, the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) has grown significantly. We have expanded our reach and services, both in geographic scope and the care we provide. We joined forces with local hospitals and medical groups to strengthen our ties with communities throughout the state.

As we continue to grow, we simultaneously seek to come together as One UMMS, an organization that build on the strengths of its individual member organizations.

Functioning as One UMMS will allow us to create greater opportunities for our team members, provide more comprehensive care for our patients, and support more communities across Maryland. It will reaffirm our values and allow us to leverage the benefits of being part of a stronger, statewide system. In the end, we are not creating a new system; we are strengthening the one we have built. Together, we will honor our past and simultaneously look to our future, not just as a health care system, but as vital members of our communities.

This is a complex journey that will be phased in over many years. The details will not be dictated to you, but rather designed with and for you. With the help of representatives from different regions, departments and backgrounds throughout UMMS, we aim to create a more innovative and effective organization that leverages technological advancements and industry-wide best practices.

Our progress toward this initiative will be documented on the pages of this website.

VISION FOR THE SYSTEM

The University of Maryland Medical System delivers approximately 25 percent of all hospital care in Maryland. We also serve a vital role in our state’s economy by employing 28,000 dedicated men and women who work tirelessly to help people every day. As such, it is vital that we lead the way into the future of health care with a clear vision.

Building upon the UMMS tradition of excellence in patient care and innovation, we aspire to be a national thought leader in the transformation of health care.

We will achieve this vision by focusing on four galvanizing themes:

Compassionate, High-Quality Care
We will be unrelenting in our dedication to delivering compassionate, high-quality, patient- and family-centered care.

Community Commitment
We recognize the responsibility that comes with being an anchor institution in each of the communities we serve across Maryland. We are inherently entwined in the social fabric of our communities and will demonstrate an unwavering commitment to the health and well-being of Marylanders. This is not just our duty, but our life’s work.

Health Care Transformation
Leveraging the size and scale of our statewide health system, we will transform the way we deliver health care to bring more value to our patients and their communities.

Discovery-Based Medicine
As one of only two academic health care systems in Maryland, blazing new trails in medicine is inherent to our organization. We will invest in and partner with stakeholders who are committed to the highest ideals of innovation and discovery-based medicine and health education.

ONE UMMS FAQ

What is “One UMMS”?

One UMMS is the name of our collective efforts toward performance improvement across the System and the umbrella for all performance improvement projects. The name reflects our shared commitment to come together and leverage the benefits of being part of a stronger, more sustainable statewide system. Being One UMMS will allow us to provide more comprehensive care to our patients, create more opportunities for our team members and strengthen the support our communities need to thrive.

Why are we doing this?

As health care continues to evolve, we need to adapt in order for our System to continue to grow and succeed. As part of the One UMMS initiative, we will begin to integrate, optimize and standardize how we work across our System. These actions will make UMMS a more sustainable organization built to meet the needs of our team members, patients and communities today and for years to come.

Does each hospital and region play a role in One UMMS?

Absolutely. Our performance improvement plans, which are a central part of this journey, are driven by leaders and team members from each hospital and region. This collaboration allows us to capture and consider all perspectives, and we are committed to working with each region to honor and preserve its unique history and culture.

How will the System-wide changes be implemented at our hospital?

Reflecting the vision of coming together as one, this effort is rooted in collaboration across our System leveraging the strengths of each local facility. Representatives and leaders from each hospital helped shape our performance improvement plans, and they’re now helping drive implementation. We recognize there is a lot of change to come, but it’s not happening all at once, and know that we are committed to communicating with everyone as early and often as possible.

How does this impact me?

One UMMS is about evolving for our future success and long-term sustainability. Achieving this goal will require change in how we do some things, including maximizing technology and innovation in health care delivery. This positive change touches every one of the people who make UMMS a health care leader. We know that change isn’t always easy, but we ask you to understand why the change is necessary, how it strengthens our System and then champion it to others. Ultimately, we will all see the many benefits of this approach, and will experience the feelings of “being a part of something greater.”

Updated: 5/12/2021