As a third-generation Butler Memorial Hospital employee who has followed in the humble footsteps of my mother and grandmother, I’m honored to serve as hospital president.

My family and friends receive care here as they have for many years. Questioning management’s commitment to Butler Memorial Hospital is simply not accurate.

A recent opinion piece questioned BMH’s standards and outcomes. It is worth noting that there was no mention that the author is currently involved in union negotiations at BMH.

Healthcare everywhere is stressed, facing unrelenting cost pressures every day. The pandemic, inflation and workforce shortages have resulted in difficult decisions and necessary changes.

This community will vividly recall the stress the COVID-19 pandemic placed on BMH and every hospital across the nation. While the country was shut down, the employees of BMH were at work every day caring for our families, friends, and neighbors.

This commitment came at a cost. The few remaining independent hospitals in Western Pennsylvania had to determine the best next steps for their futures. The result of facing these pressures was the creation of Independence Health System.

Independence Health System resulted from the joining of Excela Health and Butler Health System, community-based providers that have never strayed from their mission. That mission remains clear — to deliver expert care to the communities we serve while ensuring the long-term strength and stability of our organization.

Independence Health System continues to invest strategically — recruiting and retaining physicians, improving patient access, upgrading technology, and modernizing facilities. In less than three years, Independence Health System has experienced a remarkable financial turnaround, with more work to do, assuring ongoing excellent community care.

Our system is locally led. We are rooted here, in the places we call home.

At 7,000 employees strong, Independence Health System is the largest employer in Butler and Westmoreland counties. The socio-economic importance of our organization to our communities and its inherent responsibility carries great weight.

Independence Health System partners with an independent third-party consulting firm, 3C Consulting, which has validated that the system is extremely competitive in its wages and benefits, often meeting and exceeding those of comparable health systems in our region. BMH employees are among the best compensated in Western Pennsylvania, with strong health benefits, retirement plans and paid time off.

Our high standards and strong outcomes are supported by the fact that BMH continues to be recognized for clinical excellence and patient safety, earning national honors from Healthgrades, U.S. News & World Report, and others.

Across the system, our hospitals rank among the best in the region. Our collective focus is to elevate our standards and outcomes even further by continuing to work side by side with all staff. To suggest otherwise, in my opinion, is inaccurate.

Our turnaround is remarkable, and our progress is clear and undeniable. And while there is still much work to be done, that progress benefits every patient, every employee, and every hometown we serve.

Our promise remains clear: Expert care, here.

Matthew Schnur is president of Butler Memorial and Clarion hospitals.