Michael Driscoll of Sterling thought he had pneumonia. But when his symptoms worsened, he was examined by a team of clinicians at Backus, where he was diagnosed with thymic cancer.

Mr. Driscoll said he never realized how many people it takes to care for a single patient, many of them behind the scenes. He now praises everyone from the staff cleaning his room to the physicians, nurses and surgeons who treated him.

“You basically saved my life,” he said.

The Backus Health System has spent the past year focusing on patients like Mr. Driscoll. Putting patients first is the goal, which was accomplished in 2011 by building and growing connections.

Backus staff has a patientcentered focus when caring for the community. It is based on four pillars — Quality and Safety, Patient Experience, Team Strength and Financial Performance.

“Connections” was the theme of the hospital’s recent Annual Meeting at the Backus Business and Technology Center, where attendees heard patients praise the care they received at Backus, watched a year-in-review multimedia presentation and honored healthcare partners in the community.

“I am very proud to be on the board of such a great community institution, one with employees, volunteers and medical staff who realize what it will take to build the healthcare delivery system of tomorrow,” Backus Board Chairman Peter V. Disch said. “I continue to be amazed at the rapid changes in healthcare, and am in awe of just how much hard work, day-in and day-out, goes into making sure that Backus is positioned to be here and strong, even in the face of sweeping change.”

Backus President and Chief Executive Officer Dave Whitehead thanked staff for all they did to keep Backus strong, and create “a system of sustainable care.” He said as a not-for-profit hospital, Backus is reinvesting its entire operating margin in people, technology and increased regional access to programs and services that will help improve the healthcare delivery system for patients in eastern Connecticut.

“The key is innovation throughout all levels of the organization,” Mr. Whitehead said. “Our Board, senior leadership, management team, frontline staff, medical staff and volunteers realize that no hospital, no matter how big or small it is, can afford to keep the status quo. We need to be innovative in finding ways to provide better care to our patients in more efficient ways.

This is never an easy balance, but our successes as a team have positioned us well for the healthcare realities of tomorrow. I would like to thank all members of our team who made our successful year possible.”