Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) provided a record $354 million in community benefit, including free and reduced-cost care during fiscal year 2014. That's an 8 percent increase over fiscal year 2013.

The report was presented to LVHN Board of Trustees, leadership, staff and community members at the organization's 2014 community annual meeting Dec. 3.

LVHN's operating income, or the amount reinvested into facilities and services, from fiscal year 2014 was $41.9 million, or 2.5 percent.

According to LVHN's 2014 annual report, acute admissions were up more than 2 percent to more than 55,000.

Emergency room visits increased by 7 percent to more than 190,000.

Visits to health network-owned physician practices totaled 1.9 million, an increase of 8 percent from fiscal year 2013.

Jonathan Zsigovits of Emmaus addressed the meeting, recalling how he lived with sleep apnea, achy joints and high blood pressure as a result of his obesity.

Zsigovits said he's turned his "couch potato" lifestyle in for running, cycling, swimming and even training for a triathlon following weight-loss surgery and the loss of more than 150 pounds.

Brian A. Nester, DO, MBA, LVHN president and CEO, used Zsigovits's surgery as an example of a procedure that can reduce ongoing costs for a patient.

"I mentioned the unlimited power you have to take charge of your health," Nester said.

"Jonathan is living proof. He's one of thousands of examples that show how the Triple Aim creates a better community."

Nester explained the health network's focus on the Triple Aim, adopted from the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, which involves:

Better health by being accountable for the overall well-being of the entire population;

Better care by providing an exceptional experience at every touch point within the health network; and

Better cost by embracing the fact that quality care costs less.

Nester noted other examples of what LVHN is doing to assist people in controlling their health, including the opening of LVHN One City Center in downtown Allentown in July that features a 17,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art LVHN Fitness facility.

He also cited expanded services for orthopedics, oncology and ExpressCare in the Greater Hazleton area following the merger with the former Greater Hazleton Health Allicance, the opening of the Health Center at Bangor and partnership in Optum Labs.

The LVHN Board of Trustees re-elected William F. Hecht, chairman and CEO (retired) PPL Corp., to a one-year term as chair of the Trustees.

John D. Stanley, senior vice president, general counsel and chief administrative officer, Air Products and Chemicals Inc., was elected vice chair. Stanley will serve in that role along with Martin K. Till, regional president, J.G. Petrucci Co. Inc., and Jefferson (Jeff) K. Aiken Jr., Dmin, senior pastor (retired), First Presbyterian Church of Allentown.

Joseph E. Patruno, MD, president-elect of LVHN's medical staff, was elected to serve a three-year term on the board effective in January.

William H. Lehr, executive consultant, Insurance Management Service, retired from the board and Matthew M. McCambridge, MD, past president of LVHN's medical staff, concluded his service with the board.

Lehigh Valley Health Network includes four hospital facilities: one in Salisbury Township, one in Allentown, one in Bethlehem and one in Hazleton; 12 health centers caring for communities in five counties; numerous primary and specialty care physician practices throughout the region; pharmacy, imaging, home health services and lab services; and preferred provider services through Valley Preferred.

Specialty care includes: trauma center, Burn Center, kidney and pancreas transplants; perinatal-neonatal, cardiac, cancer care and neurology and complex neurosurgery capabilities including national certification as a Comprehensive Stroke Center.

Lehigh Valley Health Network has been recognized by US News & World Report for 19 consecutive years as one of America's Best Hospitals and is a national Magnet hospital for excellence in nursing.