Overview. As one of Southern California's leading full service medical facilities, West Anaheim Medical Center has served its Orange County community for more than 50 years. Now in its 51st year, this facility is comprised of 219-licensed hospital beds, with a focus on acute care. The medical center operates under a functional type of organizational structure. Similar to a large hospital organization, the functional structure exhibits a hierarchy of personnel, with numerous channels of authority and responsibility. At the top of this hierarchy rests the board of directors (as discussed in further detail later), delegating duties to the center's Chief Executive Officer (CEO), who in turn instructs and manages the medical and administrative staff. …show more content…
Ultimately benefitting every stakeholder and member at every level of the facility, West Anaheim Medical Center's need for a well-developed strategic plan remains critical to their success as a large health organization. The strategic planning process itself initially begins with the board of directors, but eventually involves all levels of managerial and operational functions of the medical center. Authors Cleverley and Cameron (2007) imply that the board plays the crucial role in such a complex and intensive process. A noteworthy strategic plan strengthens the center's adaption to change, providing more certainty towards future uncertainties. For example, the implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 took several years after it was established as a health care reform to take effect. Continuous and efficient strategic planning for the medical center can help the organization adjust through persistent research and education. Investing in particular programs and services can be risky, as West Anaheim Medical Center offers a wide variety of services to its members and the surrounding community. Restructuring for the better can also occur with a successful strategic plan, given the long-standing number of years it has been servicing Orange County. Overall, the most significant benefit to a well-constructed strategic plan lies within the organization's direction towards their overarching goal: To provide up-to-date, high quality, and affordable health care to its