Medical Innovation Boosts Local Economies: Lessons From Mercy (Sponsored Content)

While communities now vie for talent and economic opportunities, access to advanced health care has emerged as a crucial differentiator in regional development. With centers of excellence in cardiology, oncology and orthopedics, Mercy Springfield Communities offers a compelling case study of how investments in cutting-edge medical capabilities can create ripple effects throughout a local economy, from talent attraction to workplace productivity.

“Talent attracts talent, and talent brings new technologies, and the technology attracts future talent,” explains Dr. Gerard Oghlakian, cardiovascular regional service line chair for Mercy Springfield Communities, who has witnessed this virtuous cycle firsthand during his 14 years in Springfield. “The moment new technologies emerge, it goes through our process of having our specialty counsel weigh in on whether the technology is helpful to the patients‚ makes people feel better and live longer, while also making procedures faster, safer and with shorter recovery time.”

This commitment to innovation has yielded tangible results across multiple specialties. In orthopedics, for instance, the integration of robotics, advanced imaging and artificial intelligence has enabled the processing of more than 60,000 orthopedic cases annually across the health care system. “When our recent recruit from the Mayo Clinic came in, he never saw another center that offered the amount of pathology volume and ability to really do what he likes to do,” notes Dr. J. Peter Crites, orthopedics regional service line chair, describing how specialized expertise attracts more specialized expertise.

The economic implications extend beyond the medical community. Dr. Nathan Tonlaar, oncology regional service line chair, points to how technological advances directly impact workforce productivity. “Think about an employer having their employee take two months off just to go in for daily radiation treatment, versus completing treatment in five days and being back to work with minimal side effects. You can think about the cost benefit to both employer and employee,” Tonlaar says.

These advantages are attracting attention from major employers. The health care system has established partnerships with several Fortune 500 companies and regional employers, who send employees to Springfield for surgical care. “Those patients come in with a companion, stay in local hotels, and receive their surgical care here,” explains Crites. “There is definitely an economic impact.”

Innovation partnerships are also positioning the region at the forefront of health care technology. Through collaborations with Microsoft and Mayo Clinic, the system is developing AI-driven solutions for everything from clinical documentation to early cancer detection. “We’re part of something called Mayo Platforms, a collaborative partnership of global healthcare systems sharing de-identified patient data for research and innovation,” notes Crites.

The impact on patient care is significant. New technologies like leadless pacemakers, robotic lung surgery and advanced radiation therapy options are keeping patients closer to home for complex procedures. “Short of doing heart transplants, we can serve all the cardiovascular needs of the community locally,” Oghlakian emphasizes.

Looking ahead, the continued evolution of these capabilities appears poised to further strengthen the region’s economic foundation. New programs, like recently launched fluid management clinics for heart failure patients, are new access points of care delivery that reduce emergency room visits and hospitalizations‚ thus creating cost efficiencies for both employers and employees.

For business leaders evaluating regional advantages, the presence of advanced health care capabilities offers multiple strategic benefits including reduced productivity losses from medical leave, enhanced ability to attract talent, and lower healthcare-related travel costs. As Tonlaar notes, “When I talk to doctors and other professionals coming to this region, being able to leverage AI and invest in technology to help physicians work more efficiently is a great selling point for bringing people into the area.”

The emergence of Springfield as a healthcare innovation hub demonstrates how strategic investments in medical capabilities can create cascading benefits for regional economic development, a model that business leaders across industries would do well to consider as they evaluate factors driving sustainable growth in their own communities.

This content is brought to you by Mercy Springfield Communities.