SWMC publishes 2021 Community Benefit Report
August 9, 2022
Southwestern Medical Center (SWMC) has published its community benefit report for the 2021 calendar year. This yearly report outlines specific ways the hospital is positively contributing to southwest Oklahoma and spotlights the various ways it is working to support the health and well-being of the community it calls home – an investment which has become increasingly essential in recent years.
“Our hospital is proud of its role as a community leader in Lawton Fort Sill as an essential healthcare provider, large employer and active community partner, and we take the responsibility that comes with that role very seriously,” says Elizabeth Jones, chief executive officer (CEO) of Southwestern Medical Center. “Being part of ScionHealth, which is a new and growing system of community and specialty hospitals, allows us to continue to uphold our legacy of care and community leadership, and cultivate an environment where people choose to come for care. We accomplished this thanks in no small part to the hard work and dedication of our remarkable team of providers, employees and volunteers, and the support of those we serve.”
SWMC’s 2021 community benefit report highlights its continued efforts to meet the growing healthcare needs of its community through welcoming new providers, adding and expanding service lines and continually investing in its facilities and healthcare technology. For example, in 2021, SWMC added 25 providers in several specialties; and made more than $6.8 million in capital improvements, including a new cardiac catheterization lab and CT scanner.
Additionally, SWMC donated more than $15.5 million in health services to those in need, demonstrating its continuous commitment to ensuring everyone has access to care, regardless of their ability to pay.
SWMC is also devoted to creating environments where providers want to practice, and employees want to work. In 2021, the hospital distributed more than $42 million in salaries, wages, and benefits for its approximately 500 employees, and contributed more than $100,000 in professional development and tuition assistance so all its employees can have the opportunity to learn, grow and improve the care they provide their patients.
This year’s annual report also showcases several examples of how SWMC is continually seeking ways to make a positive impact in the communities it serves, extending far beyond the physical walls of its facilities. Last year, the organization paid $5.3 million in local and state taxes, displaying its commitment to fiscal responsibility in an effort to boost southwest Oklahoma’s economic well-being. The hospital is also honored to continue its support of local activities and organizations that contribute to making the community healthier, including the Cameron University Foundation, Fit Kids of Southwest Oklahoma, Great Plains Technology Center, Parkinson Foundation of Oklahoma, and Senior Center for Creative Living.
“We are proud to call Lawton Fort Sill our home and feel truly privileged to contribute to its well-being,” said Jones. “We are also incredibly grateful for and inspired by the support our communities have shown us in recent years. As we consider the future of SWMC, we are so excited to continue improving the way we serve our neighbors and communities.”
SWMC’s complete 2021 community benefit report can be found here.