Nevada Health Care Forum

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In our 4th year, more than 300 senior healthcare industry executives and government leaders will attend this year’s annual Nevada Health Care Forum. The event has been an overwhelming success in the first three years with national, state and locally-recognized dynamic presenters addressing pending legislative changes impacting our national healthcare system and issues and opportunities for improving our national, regional and local healthcare systems.

The Nevada Chapters of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA), Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) and Medical Group Management Association (MGMA), in conjunction with the Southern Nevada Medical Industry Coalition (SNMIC), Nevada Organization of Nurse Leaders (NONL) and Clark / Washoe County Medical Societies, have all come together for this Nevada statewide event to be held on Tuesday, October 11, 2011. Similar to prior years, the event will take place at UnitedHealthcare Nevada in Las Vegas.

This year’s symposium will focus on topics like the national impact of the healthcare reform on healthcare and Nevadans, quality and care management in healthcare, healthcare Information technology/systems and health information exchanges (HIEs), Medicare and Medicaid, and more. The program again will feature national and state leaders in the health care industry.

This is the largest gathering of state healthcare professionals for Nevada. The success in the first three years continues to entice other organizations wanting to be involved in this statewide Forum.

Nevada Health Care Sector Council to deliver 10-year strategic plan to develop Nevada’s health care workforce

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During the 2009 Legislature, Senate Bill 239 was passed, establishing Nevada’s Health Care Sector Council (NHCSC). The council’s mission was to identify job training and education programs to best meet regional economic development goals. Due to a lack of focus and funding, the council was idle.

Last summer, the council found non-traditional funding and purpose thru the Affordable Care Act State Health Care Workforce Development Planning grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). The $150,000 grant activated the council, which has since been working on formulating a plan to expand Nevada’s primary care Full Time Equivalent (FTE) health care workforce between 10 and 25 percent over the next 10 years. This increase would meet – not exceed – the demand for health care services in the Silver State.

The plan, set for completion early this summer, will identify changes in the health care industry that will make the most impact. NHCSC is charged with informing the Governor’s Workforce Investment Board of health care organizations that will have the greatest likelihood of meeting the regional workforce development and economic goals. The Southern Nevada Medical Industry Coalition, an incumbent training provider for Workforce Connections, is expected to be a leader in the roll-out of these training and development programs.

“Having the program directly identify the specific issues is going to help tremendously,” said Dr. Maurizio Trevisan, executive vice chancellor and chief operating officer of the University of Nevada Health Sciences System, NHCSC member and SNMIC board member. “We want to make sure that we do have an impact and keep health care graduates employed in Nevada.”

The council is made up of more than 20 health care professionals as well as additional subcommittee members. NHCSC members represent the Nevada Hospital Association, Culinary Workers Health Fund, Nevada Health Care Association, nursing licensing, Black Nurses Association, AARP, College of Southern Nevada, St. Rose Dominican and Spring Valley hospitals, University of Nevada School of Medicine, Nevada State Medical Association, the State of Nevada, Lou Ruvo Brain Institute, Nevada System of Higher Education, SNDH, Nevada Department of Education, University of Nevada, Reno Division of Health Sciences and Center for Research Design and Analysis, Keep Our Doctors in Nevada and Nevada Rural Hospital Partners.

Bringing together representatives from every facet of the health care industry was vital to serving the council’s general purpose, Trevisan said.

“The health care industry is the ultimate source of employment. They need to be engaged in this process,” Trevisan added. “It’s important the strategies are agreed upon and everyone is on the same page.”

The plan is a first for the state, and what comes from it will be focused on overall health care improvement and training to ensure a healthier future.

“The goal is to increase the volume of professionals and decrease the ratios,” said Doug Geinzer, CEO of the Southern Nevada Medical Industry Coalition (SNMIC), and member of the NHCSC. “For the first time, Nevada is working on a plan to identify the future of Nevada’s health care industry, and the energy and impact the plan generates will affect Nevadans for decades.”

Nevada ranks 51st in the United States in the percentage of the population employed in health care occupations; 49th in the number of registered nurses per capita; 46th in regards to the number of active primary and patient care physicians per capita; 47th in the number of hospital beds per 100,000 people; 45th in the list of healthiest states; and, 49th for having positive determinants that can lead to healthier outcomes for Nevada’s citizens.

“This is crucial. The State of Nevada has poor health indicators,” Trevisan said. “(But) it’s not only important for the health of the people but for the economic engine.”

MediTourExpo 2011 to be held in Las Vegas May 23-24

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Leading professionals to come together to strategically discuss how to further develop global healthcare and increase patient numbers by improving the quality of care and services provided to medical travelers.

MediTourExpo 2011, “Pioneering the Future in Global Healthcare,” will take place May 23-24, at the South Point Hotel, Casino and Spa in Las Vegas.

This two-day international conference will feature prominent speakers and leading educators from a wide variety of specialties such as:

  • Global Healthcare Administration
  • International Healthcare Law
  • International Medical Hotel, Spa and Tourism
  • Investment in International Tourism and Wellness Facilities
  • International Healthcare Facility Certification
  • International Healthcare and Travel Insurance
  • International Healthcare Informatics

Discussion topics will include new medical tourism marketing strategies, the latest trends in wellness and spa tourism, facility development, insurance coverage, hospital quality control, follow-up care, legal issues and business opportunities for travel and tour operators. There will also be a special focus on health tourism, which consists of a spectrum of services offered through wellness tourism and medical tourism.

In addition to presentations, the conference will have exhibit halls, discussion panels and various workshops.

SNMIC members, medical association members and hospital association members receive discounted rates by clicking here and completing the registration form. All applications must be received by May 5.

For more information on the event, visit meditourexpo.net.

Nevada State College professor selected to speak at 15th annual Healthcare Educator Institute

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Kathryn Damm, Ph.D., an assistant professor of psychology at Nevada State College, will be a featured speaker at next month’s 15th annual Healthcare Educator Institute in Ontario, Calif., discussing how to use technology to engage students.

The 15th annual Healthcare Educator Institute seeks to provide 90 educators in California with creative teaching strategies, including utilizing technology and multimedia in the classroom, to enhance the learning experience in health occupation programs.

Her seminars at the healthcare educator conference on April 18 will focus on how best to utilize technology to create a student-centered classroom and increase student engagement.

Selected for her award-winning experience in promoting innovative teaching techniques, Damm utilizes technology at Nevada State College to relate material to students’ real lives and encourage them to think critically and independently.

Since its inception, Nevada State College and professors like Damm have been at the forefront of incorporating technology into the educational experience.

“I am proud to have this opportunity to share with other educators some of the technology-based strategies we are using at Nevada State College to engage students,” said Damm.

Damm received her bachelor of arts degree in human development, bachelor of science degree in psychology, and doctorate in experimental psychology from the University of California, San Diego. She joined the faculty of Nevada State College in 2008 and has taught a range of courses in the psychology department. Recently, she participated in the Teaching Fellows Institute, a Blackboard Catalyst award winning program designed to use technology to advance excellence in teaching and student service. This summer, she will serve as the facilitator leading the Teaching Fellows Institute for other faculty fellows at Nevada State College.

 

Southern Nevada Medical Industry Coalition earns Silver Sponsor

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LAS VEGAS – The Nevada Hospital Association has become a Southern Nevada Medical Industry Coalition (SNMIC) Silver Sponsor.

The Nevada Hospital Association, established in 1960 and incorporated in 1971, is a not-for-profit, professional association for Nevada’s hospitals as well as other health-related agencies and organizations. The association, created by hospital administrators, addresses issues that affect all types of hospitals with a unified approach.
SNMIC exists to provide a collective voice to improve access and delivery of quality health care in Southern Nevada by fostering strategic alliances in the health care community, collaborating on human resource issues, and by acting as a proactive force for legislative improvements.
Silver Sponsors receive numerous advertising, marketing and public relations opportunities along with the ability to have their voice heard and be part of a solution to create a better health care community for Southern Nevada.
“It’s a privilege to be partnered with an organization with such a great history and involvement in the Las Vegas Valley,” said Doug Geinzer, CEO of SNMIC. “We appreciate the Nevada Hospital Association’s official support as one of our valued Silver Sponsors.”
Founded in 2002, SNMIC is a 600-plus volunteer organization committed to improving the quality of life for the residents of Southern Nevada now and in the future. SNMIC stands as a collective voice to ensure improved access and delivery of quality health care to the rapidly growing region and focuses on legislative improvements, human resources and strategic alliances.