The head of cardiothoracic surgery at Jefferson Health is leaving the system for a position at smaller Tower Health, citing frustration that Jefferson has grown too large.
Rohinton Morris, a cardiac surgeon who trained and worked at several Philadelphia hospitals, will lead cardiothoracic surgery and cardiovascular medicine at the tower starting April 15. The nonprofit health system has three acute care hospitals in suburban Philadelphia (Reading, Phoenixville, and Pottstown) and St. Christopher’s Children’s Hospital in North Philadelphia.
When Morris became chief of cardiac surgery for the health system in 2015, Jefferson included three hospitals. In the eight years since, Jefferson Health has grown to include 18 hospitals in Philadelphia, surrounding Pennsylvania, and South Jersey.
If the Lehigh Valley Health Network acquisition goes through, the system would expand further to include 30 hospitals as far north as Scranton.
» Read more: Jefferson acquisition timeline since 2015
Due to the growth of the system, Mr. Morris felt he could no longer exert influence as a leader.
“Jefferson is now such a huge company that trying to make any changes is like trying to move an ocean liner,” he said. “As the system got bigger and bigger, my influence became smaller and smaller.”
While some may see the move to a smaller network as a disadvantage, Morris sees it as an opportunity, even if it “might not be as prestigious as an academic job.” He believes smaller, more agile health systems will have more flexibility to shape how cardiac care is delivered.
Shiny objects and loss
Like many health systems in the Philadelphia area, Tower reported losses and a lack of cash on hand last year. Morris said he had honest conversations with Tower executives about the system’s challenges regarding its finances. He isn’t worried about recruiting doctors or expanding services.
“If we can increase the volume, there is no barrier,” he said.
Some cardiothoracic surgeons focus on potentially lucrative, complex robotic surgeries. Morris said he wants to focus on expanding access to basic cardiac care rather than expanding highly specialized services that benefit a small number of patients.
“Glowing objects attract attention,” says Morris. “But medicine is not shiny.”
» Read more: Lankenau surgeons are leaders in robotic heart surgery. Why doesn’t he follow more?
Morris said Tower’s cardiac care program will focus on helping elderly patients in suburban Philadelphia manage chronic heart problems, including expanding clinic hours. His goal is to allow patients who live near Tower Hospital to go there for cardiac care instead of driving to Philadelphia.
Morris is currently completing an online master’s program in public health at George Washington University.
“The success story is that no one leaves the area because they feel like they don’t have access to high-quality care,” Morris said.
