Event Encore

Event Recap: Interdependence of Public, Private, and Federal Healthcare Delivery February 24, 2022

by Amanda Brummitt, FACHE

Public, private, and federal healthcare delivery no longer have hard boundaries and patients often seek care across the different systems. Panelists were Aaron Bujnowski, FACHE of The Chartis Group, Jason Fisher of South Texas Veterans Health Care System and Eric D. Jacobsen of Veterans Affairs North Texas explained why these organizations should and do work together to create a healthier community. And, moderator by George T. Roberts, Jr., FACHE Northeast Texas Public Health District directed a great discussion and offered public health insight.

To paraphrase a key point of the conversation, Bujnowski said, “We are all working towards the good of the community, so it makes sense to work with competitors to accomplish what the community needs.” At times, we don’t have adequate supplies, beds, or timely clinic appointments. It makes sense to be able to share resources and refer patients, so they get the care that they need. That’s why we are all here – to care for patients.

Interoperability During Disasters The Veterans Administration (VA) is the largest integrated delivery system in the United States. In the COVID-19 environment, they used their purchasing power to acquire supplies and redistribute to community agencies that were desperate for supplies. Our North Texas VA helped many DFW area hospitals with supplies including Parkland. They also sent staff to hot spots around the country and utilized staff from around the country.

Information Technology The pandemic sped up utilization of telemedicine, especially for psychiatric care. Most patients seem to prefer it. Organizations rapidly improved IT infrastructure to meet the need and drive site of care changes.

No show rates dropped across the board with telecare, except for Veterans that are currently un-homed. Their no-show rate went up during the pandemic. It will be vital to figure out how to meet the needs of this population.

Documentation Sharing of information is vital across the systems for the best continuity of care, including social and emotional needs of the patients. The federal organizations currently have some interoperability to see certain components within electronic health records but would like to see more. The Mission Act and Choice Act allow some transfer of patient information between the public and private sector. A lot is still currently scanned into the record. Across the panelists, they welcome more interoperability.

Costs & Reimbursement Organizations are re-evaluating cost structures and where their teams are physically working to be more efficient and unlock talent.

Large organizations can share resources across the entity, but smaller organizations are being taxed with high costs of agency staff because of staffing shortages. Repurposing underutilized services and running as efficiently as possible helps.

Private equity has played a role in providing funding to capitalize projects around technology for projects like home care and remote care.

Better operability of electronic health records will help with reimbursement when working between systems.

Future Homogenization of Patient Populations Patients with certain health disparities need care across multiple providers throughout the system to meet needs outside of just the medical needs such as social and psychological, but that are potentially root causes of the chronic illness. These issues can’t be met by a single health system.

Breakfast with the Assistant Vice President March 1, 2022

Submitted by Kean Villarta

On Tuesday, March 1, ACHENTX held its “Breakfast with the AVP” Event with Travis Gill, JD, Assistant Vice President for Institutional Equity and Access at UT Southwestern Medical Center. As AVP, Travis has oversight of UT Southwestern’s Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, Title IX, and Diversity and Inclusion programs and efforts.

After a light breakfast and networking, attendants enjoyed a fireside chat with Travis where he shared his story, journey, and work with UTSW. Travis credits his community which experienced environmental racism as well as a role model who was an attorney for inspiring him to attend law school.

After experiencing lack of inclusiveness at a law firm, Travis went to work in the DE&I space at state universities before transitioning to the academic healthcare setting. At UTSW, Travis has worked with Title IX initiatives, addressing domestic violence, advocating for social workers, and securing partnerships with local organizations to address community concerns.

When asked for advice for other professionals, Travis shares one must be slow to judgment and always document important conversations and encounters. One must also be open to having candid conversations and challenge the assumptions that DE&I offices are “only for minorities” - everyone has a part in pushing forward the diversity and inclusion efforts.

Special thanks to UT Southwestern for hosting the event.

Second Quarter Education Event Addresses Timely Workplace Issues April 28, 2022

Submitted by Audrianne Schneider, FACHE

Medical City Las Colinas hosted the second quarter education event on April 28, featuring two panels that focused on the effects of bias and developing an environment of civility and respect in healthcare organizations.

From clinicians to HR experts, Panel I experts discussed diversity in the workforce and in our communities and the effects bias can have on the efforts to address the needs of diverse populations. The dialogue focused on the need to identify and understand internal biases, both conscious and unconscious and the impacts bias has on decision making. This is especially important for healthcare leaders as this understanding can positively affect employment and policy decision making, resulting in increased diversity of those holding leadership positions and equipping us to better serve our communities.

After dinner and networking, Panel 2 experts discussed ways to develop an environment of civility and respect in healthcare organizations, providing real-time examples to equip leaders to identify, intervene and prevent workplace bullying, incivility and disrespect. The primary themes in this panel focused on: • Defining what incivility means (physician, verbal, emotional) • Acknowledging if there is an issue • Steps to address (i.e., process, guidelines and accountabilities) • Creating a safe environment for people to speak up and clarity about “no tolerance.”

Panelists and several from the audience discussed the managerial courage that it takes to do this and shared several scenarios. Overall, it was emphasized that it’s how we respond, how we hold people accountable and how we follow up that determines success/change. Kyllan Cody, FACHE closed the session by thanking the panelists and announcing a donation in honor of their service to the ACHE North Texas Leadership Legacy Fund.

Panel 1 Reginald “Reggie” Carter, Managing Director, JENGA Capital Funds Katie Bata Heeter, FACHE, Vice President Human Resources Strategic Business Services, Baylor Scott & White (Moderator) Dresdene Flynn-White, FACHE, Managing Director, Acquired Leadership Solutions Dr. DeLancey Johnson, DBA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, sHRBP, Senior Vice President, Office of Talent Management at Parkland Hospital System in Dallas, Texas Merredith Simpson, Director, Human Resources Methodist Charlton Medical Center

Panel 2 Dr. Jim Allard, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, FACHE, VP and Chief Nursing Officer at Medical City Dallas; ACHENTX DE&I Committee Chair (Moderator) Tina Bowers, Vice President, Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer Children’s Health, Dallas Texas Felicia Miller, MBA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, CHHR, Executive VP and Chief Talent Officer, Parkland Health Dallas Dr. Tamala Norris, Vice President Clinical Operations & Group Chief Nursing Officer United Surgical Partners International, Inc.

2022 Mentorship Program Orientation May 5, 2022

Let’s get social

ACHENTX Cocktails With the Chiefs May 10, 2022

Submitted by Audrianne Schneider, FACHE

Stunning views of the Dallas skyline served as the backdrop for the Cocktails With the Chiefs event on Tuesday, May 10. Close to 100 ACHENTX members and guests gathered to network and connect with friends and colleagues. Many expressed gratitude for the ability to attend in-person events.

An insightful discussion about mental health services was moderated by Dr. Fuad Khan with a panel of four behavioral health experts (Bonnie Cook, Preston “Jay” Fraser, Carol Lucky and Jean Scallon), Panel members discussed the ways mental health is currently addressed in our community and country, how it’s accessed and reimbursed, ways to improve and how we work together for positive change.

With one in four people suffering from a mental health illness in their lifetime, the need for care is evident (and expected to increase due to the pandemic). Typically, mental health issues begin in the teen years, so employing methods to screen and address mental illness early is key. Another key point involves removing the stigma around mental illness.

The panel discussed some innovative ways to address mental illness, including the use of artificial intelligence, improving access to care, incorporating more training for primary care providers to screen, treat and triage and ways to integrate screening into the school systems via “Mental Health First Aid.”

The discussion concluded with a “thank you” to the event sponsors, to Corgan for the beautiful venue and a donation to the ACHENTX Leadership Legacy Fund in honor of the panelists and moderators.

Women’s Healthcare Leadership Conference - EmpowHER! June 9, 2022