Healthcare District hires consultant to help define new 5-year strategic plan
The next chapter of how the Desert Healthcare District & Foundation implements its mission through funding and program support will be defined with a consultant's guidance.
The District & Foundation Board of Directors recently voted to engage with Sowen, a data strategy and social impact consultancy headquartered in New York City, to create a new strategic plan.
Sowen was one of several consulting firms identified through a Request for Proposals process. The list was narrowed to three candidates through evaluations by staff and the Strategic Planning Committee, with Sowen emerging as the victor at the July 22 Board meeting.
"While all three firms brought to the table impressive skills and solid ideas, Sowen stood out to our Directors and staff because of its commitment to customized excellence, enthusiasm for the community we serve, and innovative thinking," said Chris Christensen, Desert Healthcare District & Foundation CEO.
Sowen's proposal emphasized discovery and insight gathering across five core areas: culture, people, knowledge, tools and processes. It will apply a scenario-based approach to help the District & Foundation anticipate and respond to future uncertainties in healthcare delivery amid changing policies, funding, and demographic trends in the Coachella Valley.
Another important selling point was Sowen's emphasis on community engagement during the planning process. The firm is expected to equitably engage with District & Foundation partner organizations and plan seven public community forums or sessions.
The new, five-year strategic plan to be developed with Sowen will replace the current five-year plan that was approved by the Board in 2021 and concludes in 2026. Sowen began working with the District & Foundation team on Aug. 1 to create a plan that will go into effect in 2027. The consulting services will cost the District $331,450.
The Board's selection of a strategic planning consultant comes eight months after valley voters approved a $650 million lease-purchase agreement for Desert Regional Medical Center. The Palm Springs hospital is owned by the Desert Healthcare District & Foundation but has been leased by Tenet Healthcare since 1997. The lease-purchase agreement extends Tenet's operation of the hospital with ownership ultimately transferring to Tenet at the end of the lease in 2057.
"This new agreement will bring to the District & Foundation tremendous resources to support our grants program and other opportunities that advance health and wellness across the Coachella Valley," said District & Foundation Board President Carole Rogers, RN. "With that comes great responsibility to ensure we're meeting community health needs, present and future. The Board, staff, and I are confident that Sowen is the partner we need to develop a roadmap of how we get to the healthy, thriving community we all want to see."
About the Desert Healthcare District & Foundation
The Desert Healthcare District is a local government agency formed in 1948. Its mission is to achieve optimal health at all stages of life for all District residents. The District includes more than 400,000 residents and encompasses the entire Coachella Valley. The District and Desert Healthcare Foundation, together, are one of the largest funders in the valley. These funds are used to assist residents — especially the underserved — in accessing vitally needed resources, such as primary and behavioral healthcare. Learn more.