Tag: MiCare Champion Podcast

New Podcast Explores Social Determinants of Health with Wright Lassiter

Member News

The MHA released another episode of the MiCare Champion Cast, which features interviews with healthcare policy experts in Michigan on key issues that impact healthcare and the health of communities.

On this episode, Wright Lassiter, president and CEO of Henry Ford Health, discusses social determinants of health — what they are, why they matter, and how understanding them can help achieve better health outcomes. Lassiter also shares valuable insight about how to best support healthcare workers as they continue to face pandemic burnout and what drove the organization’s recent rebranding to Henry Ford Health, previously Henry Ford Health System.

As president and CEO, Lassiter oversees the $7 billion integrated health system comprised of six hospitals, a health plan and a wide range of ambulatory, retail and various health services across more than 250 locations in Michigan and 33,000 employees. Lassiter joined Henry Ford Health in 2014 as president and assumed the role of president and CEO in 2016.

This podcast is part of the statewide #MiCareMatters campaign, launched in 2017, which aims to build a network of citizens — “MiCare Champions” — who will be called upon to engage in advocacy efforts to protect access to affordable healthcare services in Michigan. It is currently available via Spotify, iTunes and SoundCloud.

For more information, visit micarematters.org. Members with questions or who would like to submit ideas for future podcasts should contact Lucy Ciaramitaro at the MHA.

Register by Feb. 14 for Virtual MHA Breakthrough

Member News
Virtual Breakthrough

Virtual BreakthroughThe MHA Breakthrough event will be held virtually from 1 to 3 p.m. Feb. 17, and registration is encouraged by close of business Feb. 14. For many months, leaders have had limited opportunities to study challenges and learn from each other, and MHA Breakthrough is an easy way to do that. Leaders will discuss a prolonged fourth COVID-19 surge, strategies for managing the politics and misinformation surrounding the virus, and how to re-engage patients and families to combat the increasing rates of violence toward caregivers and volunteers. Keynote speaker Michael Leonard, MD, will share his near-death experience with COVID-19 in the early days of the pandemic and how leaders can minimize the permanent effects of the pandemic on care and caregivers. Following Leonard’s presentation, small group conversations led by Michigan healthcare leaders will allow participants to share ideas and strategies for:

  • COVID-19 long-hauler threats and health policy that the MHA and its members can support to better integrate public health to build a stronger healthcare infrastructure.
  • Practical, yet more open, visitation policies to rebuild the relationships essential to achieving the best patient outcomes and building a cohesive plan involving family.
  • Caring for staff who are exhausted by workforce shortages and have been devastated by living with serious illness and loss of life.

More information and registration for the event are available online, and a recent MiCare Champion Cast provides insight on Leonard’s experience. Questions may be directed to Erin Steward at the MHA.

MHA Monday Report Feb. 7, 2022

Monday Report
MHA Monday Report

MHA Covid-19 updateCombating the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19): Week of Jan. 31

The number of hospitalizations in Michigan due to confirmed and suspected cases of COVID-19 was the lowest since early November during the week of Jan. 31. However, with 2,882 adults and 70 children hospitalized Feb. 4 with confirmed and suspected COVID-19, some facilities in the state continue to be …

Medicare to Cover Over-the-counter COVID-19 Tests for Beneficiaries

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is developing an initiative that will provide free access to eight over-the-counter COVID-19 tests per month for Medicare beneficiaries. The initiative will apply to individuals enrolled in both traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans. The new initiative …

Virtual Breakthrough

MHA Breakthrough Converting to Virtual Format

The MHA had hoped for an in-person Breakthrough event Feb. 17 and 18 but, based on the current environment, the event will be offered in a virtual format from 1 to 3 p.m. Feb. 17 on the Zoom platform. …

Webinar to Outline Housing Options to Improve Population Health

Access to affordable, safe, stable housing is well documented as a strong factor in health. The critical shortage of affordable housing directly affects communities and patients, contributing to repeat emergency room visits and hospital admissions. These patients also tend to have limited resources for …

Ludwig Community Benefit Award Nominations Due Feb. 18

The 2021 winners of the MHA’s Ludwig Community Benefit Award showcase the wide range of programs Michigan hospitals provide to benefit those in their local areas and beyond. The award is presented annually to recognize MHA-member healthcare organizations that demonstrate …

MHA Rounds Report - Brian Peters, MHA CEOMHA CEO Report — The Time is Now for Health Equity

MHA CEO Brian Peters reviews efforts to eliminate unconscious bias and to address the social determinants of health.

Webinar to Cover Changes in Digital Marketing for Healthcare

The COVID-19 pandemic and the rapidly changing competitive environment are making the consumer digital experience a higher priority for healthcare marketers than ever before. With budgets rebounding and marketers accelerating efforts in personalization, healthcare marketers must invest in new …

The Keckley Report

Paul Keckley

The Resilience of the Health System: Not Enough

“The healthcare industry is resilient—’the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness.’ It responds well to immediate problems like the pandemic and health emergencies. It enjoys well-deserved accolades for its selfless workforce and acts of heroism.  But long-term solutions to the widely recognized systemic flaws in our system escape its attention …”

Paul Keckley, Jan. 31, 2022

News to Know

  • Due to weather-related cancellations, the Michigan Legislature did not meet Feb. 2 and 3 and no action was taken on healthcare-related bills.
  • Myers and Stauffer LC, Michigan’s contractor for the federally mandated Medicaid disproportionate share hospital  audits, will host an educational webinar at 10:30 a.m. EST Feb. 15 to assist members with the upcoming 2019 Medicaid DSH audits.
  • As part of a series from the MHA Endorsed Business Partner program, the webinar Manufacturer Mandates and Claims Capture will be hosted with SUNRx from 2 to 3 p.m. EST Feb. 15.

The MHA responded to several media requests the week of Jan. 31 that focused on the history of hospital mergers and acquisitions in Michigan and the current outlook for hospitals regarding COVID-19.

MHA Breakthrough Converting to Virtual Format

Member News
Virtual Breakthrough

Virtual BreakthroughThe MHA had hoped for an in-person Breakthrough event Feb. 17 and 18 but, based on the current environment, the event will be offered in a virtual format from 1 to 3 p.m. Feb. 17 on the Zoom platform.

The content will be focused on the COVID-19 pandemic situation confronting hospitals, including a prolonged fourth surge, significant workforce burnout, and the declining patient experience and care outcomes due to visitor restrictions.

Keynote speaker, Michael Leonard, MD, will share his near-death experience with COVID-19 in the early days of the pandemic and his views of being a patient as opposed to treating a patient. Leonard is featured in the MHA’s MiCare Champion Cast, an easily accessible primer for his keynote presentation. Following Leonard’s keynote, small group conversations led by Michigan healthcare leaders will allow participants to share ideas and strategies for COVID-19 patient care, reinforcing the public health infrastructure, caring for staff and building resilience, and re-engaging patients’ family and relationships essential to decreasing hostility and improving patient outcomes.

The registration fee has been adjusted for the virtual event and the deadline is Feb. 14. For assistance with registration or more information on the virtual format, contact Erica Leyko at the MHA.

MHA Monday Report Jan. 31, 2022

Monday Report
MHA Monday Report

MHA Covid-19 updateCombating the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19): Week of Jan. 24

As the number of new cases and hospitalizations due to COVID-19 begin to diminish in Michigan, both Pfizer and Moderna have launched trials for vaccines targeting the omicron variant of the coronavirus. The variant is estimated to make up 99% of the current cases in the United States. …

Peters Talks Healthcare with Paul W. Smith on WJR’s Live from Lansing Broadcast

Detroit’s WJR News Talk Radio broadcast Jan. 27 the Paul W. Smith “Live from Lansing” show as part of its annual coverage of legislative and policy issues facing the state the morning after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s State of the State address. …

Bills on ED Violence, COVID-19 Medication, Auto No-fault Discussed in State Legislature

The Michigan Legislature returned to Lansing the week of Jan. 24 to address several bills relevant to Michigan hospitals. In the House Government Operations Committee, testimony was taken on a pair of bills to expand penalties for assaulting …

MI care matters

Doctor/Breakthrough Speaker Recalls COVID-19 Hospitalization in MHA Podcast

The MHA released another episode of the MiCare Champion Cast, which features interviews with healthcare policy experts in Michigan on key issues that impact healthcare and the health of communities …

Cybersecurity Member Forum Scheduled for March

Cyberattacks are a clear and present danger to patient care and safety. Questions regarding organizational alignment with the current cybersecurity environment cannot be answered solely by considering the electronic defense measures that are in place. Information technology experts can lead …

The Keckley Report

Paul Keckley

The Uncertainty Agenda for Hospitals in 2022

“The plight of hospitals during the omicron pandemic is prominent in news coverage. Workforce shortages and bed capacity issues grab headlines, especially in regions where the omicron wave is surging.”

“Public health officials predict this wave will pass in the next 1-2 months while cautioning about future variant possibilities. This adds to unprecedented uncertainties facing hospitals.”

Paul Keckley, Jan. 25, 2022

MHA in the News

The MHA responded to several media requests the week of Jan. 24 that focused on the status of COVID-19 and healthcare workforce sustainability.

Doctor/Breakthrough Speaker Recalls COVID-19 Hospitalization in MHA Podcast

Member News
MI care matters

The MHA released another episode of the MiCare Champion Cast, which features interviews with healthcare policy experts in Michigan on key issues that impact healthcare and the health of communities.

On this episode, Michael Leonard, MD, partner at Safe & Reliable Healthcare, shares his personal experience with falling severely ill to COVID-19 in 2020. Leonard, who spent a total of 59 days in the hospital, gives a close-up look at what it was like as a tenured physician who was in great health to become a critically ill COVID-19 patient at a time when information was limited and hospitals across the country were overwhelmed. He also addresses some of the common misconceptions that still exist around COVID-19 and the vaccines and how listeners can best support healthcare workers.

Leonard will serve as a keynote speaker at the MHA’s major membership meeting Breakthrough on Feb. 17 and 18. Attendees will examine the evolution of the pandemic and its impact, how MHA members and partners can address the workforce shortage and drive policy and funding on this critical issue, how to lead critical conversations about health equity and use structures already in place to build capacity for advancing equity, and more. A full agenda, registration and additional details can be found on the education and events page.

Safe & Reliable Healthcare is an organization dedicated to providing guidance for providers to effectively assess and manage risk and minimize adverse events. Leonard has worked with healthcare organizations nationally and internationally to identify clear, effective and sustainable ways to enhance patient- and family-centered care, improve leadership, develop a culture of safety, work collaboratively, become highly reliable, and create an environment of continuous learning and improvement.

This podcast is part of the statewide #MiCareMatters campaign, launched in 2017, which aims to build a network of citizens — “MiCare Champions” — who will be called upon to engage in advocacy efforts to protect access to affordable healthcare services in Michigan. It is currently available via Spotify, iTunes and SoundCloud.

For more information, visit micarematters.org. Members with questions or who would like to submit ideas for future podcasts should contact Lucy Ciaramitaro at the MHA.

New MiCare Champion Podcast Explores Health Equity

Member News
headphones with heart icon in middle.

The MHA released a new episode of the MiCare Champion Cast, which features interviews with healthcare policy experts in Michigan on key issues that impact healthcare and the health of communities.

On this episode, Renée Branch Canady, PhD, MPA, who serves as CEO of the Michigan Public Health Institute (MPHI), shares her knowledge and insight on health equity — what it is, why it matters, and what resources are available to those who want to create a more inclusive, equitable culture in their lives and work.

MPHI is a Michigan-based and nationally engaged nonprofit public health institute dedicated to advancing population health through public health innovation and collaboration, and Canady has been recognized as a national thought leader in the areas of health inequities and disparities, cultural competence, and social justice.

This podcast is part of the statewide #MiCareMatters campaign, launched in 2017, which aims to build a network of citizens — “MiCare Champions” — who will be called upon to engage in advocacy efforts to protect access to affordable healthcare services in Michigan. It is currently available to listen to via YouTube and SoundCloud.

For more information, visit micarematters.org. Members with questions or who would like to submit ideas for future podcasts should contact Lucy Ciaramitaro at the MHA.