MountainWest Surgical Center

MountainWest Surgical Center is a multi-specialty ambulatory surgical center serving Bountiful, UT and surrounding communities. High patient satisfaction and quality outpatient care is the goal of each of its physicians and staff.

MountainWest Surgical Center exists to help physicians and medical professionals provide their patients with the best care possible.

Students met with Administrator Brian Berg to learn how independent surgical centers work to transform our troubled health care system.

To learn more about Ambulatory Surgical Center trends visit www.ascassociation.org/advocacy/AmbulatorySurgeryCentersPositiveTrendHealthCare.pdf

Shriners Hospital Visit

Friday October 24th, some University of Utah MBA/MHA students visited the beautiful Shriners Hospitals For Children in Salt Lake City, Utah; a 40-bed pediatric orthopedic hospital and research and teaching center.

Shriners Hospitals for Children is a one-of-a-kind international health care system of 22 hospitals dedicated to improving the lives of children by providing specialty pediatric care, innovative research and outstanding teaching programs.

Children up to the age of 18 with orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries and cleft lip and palate are eligible for admission and receive all care in a family-centered environment at no charge – regardless of financial need.

Shriners' CEO and Retired Air Force Colonel, Craig Patchin met with students to discuss Shriners unique business model. Shriners Hospitals for Children rely on the generosity of many individuals and organizations for the funding needed to continue operating this extraordinary philanthropy.

Above: From left to right, students Anthony Rodebush, Janelle Robinson, and Bart LeFan take a picture with Administrator Craig Patchin.

Read about Shriners' recent "Un-limb-ited River Rafting Amputee Camp" at http://www.shrinershq.org/Hospitals/Salt_Lake_City/feature_story/

FHLA - University of Utah MHA students visit Phase 2 Consulting

On September 12, 2008, Future Healthcare Leaders of America (FHLA) visited Phase 2 Consulting. We had the honor to talk with Mr. Howard Salmon, MHA University of Minnesota and Mr. Todd Halpin, MBA University of Utah. After discussing their backgrounds and fascinating career paths, they provided us with Phase 2 Consulting's State of Healthcare 2008 presentation. The major issues facing healthcare were related in the document. We engaged in a lively discussion of where to focus time, energy, and data crunching to maximize efficiency and work toward profitability in the healthcare setting. They described in detail the demands and rewards of working as a consultant. Both men uphold the values of Phase 2 Consulting: Intellectual Honesty and Integrity, High Client Focus - Customer Service, Ethical and Moral Approach with Clients, Continued Learning, and Creativity.

Our sincere thanks to Mr. Salmon and Mr. Halpin for their time. I personally learned a great deal about consulting.

FHLA Leadership

Healthcare in Crisis - University of Utah School of Medicine Alumni Association

On September 6, 2008 the University of Utah School of Medicine pulled together a brilliant panel discussion titled Healthcare in Crisis: History, Challenges, and Opportunities. The event concluded the Medical Alumni Association's 2008 Continuing Medical Education Alumni weekend. The FHLA students were invited to attend the meeting.

The presenters:

Richard Sperry, M.D., Ph.D., Associate Vice President of Health Sciences; Director, Governor Scott M. Matheson Center for Health Care Studies, University of Utah.
Dr. Sperry served as the moderator.

Greg Poulsen, Senior Vice President, Intermountain Healthcare, Member of State of Utah Health Data Committee
Title of Presentation: Health Reform Issues: History, Comparison, and Where Are We Now?

Jay Jacobson, MD, Professor of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, University of Utah; Chief of the Division of Medical Ethics and Humanities, LDS Hospital and University of Utah
Title of Presentation: Just Allocation of Health Care: Needs, Limits, and Obligations

Brent James, MD, MStat, Executive Director Institute of Healthcare Delivery Research and Vice President, Medical Research and Continuing Medical Education, Intermountain Healthcare; Adjunct Professor, Family and Preventive Medicine, University of Utah
Title of Presentation: Building Quality Care Systems: A New Outlook for Humanity

David Squire, Executive Director, Utah Medical Education Council.
Title of Presentation: Medical Workforce Issues in Utah

Linn Baker, Former CEO Public Employees Health Plan, State of Utah; Chair, Board of Trustees, Utah Health Policy Project
Title of Presentation: Market Driven Health Care

Joe Jarvis, MD, MSPH, President, Joseph Q. Jarvis Consulting, Inc.
Title of Presentation: Too Much Market, Not Enough Care

During the break the students enjoyed talking with Mr. Poulsen and Mr. James. Above: Greg Poulsen poses with some of the MHA students; from left to right; Bart LeFan, Jake Budd, Sarah Watts, Greg Poulsen, and Anthony Rodebush. Below: Brent James weighs in on the discussion panel.


Many thanks to Kristin Gorang of the Alumni Association and Dr. Sperry for bringing together so many industry leaders together for six hours of healthcare history, trends, and projections. It's an MHA student's dream come true.

Congratulations to 2008 MHA Graduates

Just to prove there is a light at the end of the tunnel, here are MHA graduates who "walked" on May 2nd...in the future this picture will be of you!

From left to right, Julie Kohler, Jess Dalton, Debra Scammon (faculty advisor & professor of marketing), Matt Ahern, and Brian Petersen. Not pictured: Michael Young

FHLA launches LinkedIn group for University of Utah MHA and HSA degree graduates

The University of Utah has offered a Health Services Administration (HSA) certificate to MBA, MPA, MPH and other Masters Graduates since about 1977. Recently the University of Utah launched a Master Healthcare Administration (MHA) program under the direction of Professor Debbie Scammon.

For serious students desiring to learn in one of the strongest healthcare environments in America, the University of Utah MHA is a great way to go. The Salt Lake Valley is home to a wide variety of healthcare organizations. These excellent organizations include clinics like the 4th Street Clinic, the academic hospital at the University of Utah, Intermountain Healthcare, Huntsman Cancer Institute, MountainStar HCA network of hospitals, VA Hospital System just across the street from the University, and the IASIS network of hospitals. This rich healthcare environment provides plenty of opportunity to learn from some of the best minds in healthcare.



To help keep students in touch the FHLA leadership is pleased to announce the FHLA LinkedIn group. If you earned an HSA or an MHA from the University of Utah please join our LinkedIn group. You can view more information by visiting The Future Healthcare Leaders of America at LinkedIn. LinkedIn provides the opportunity for discussions and networking.

University of Utah MHA students at ACHE Congress 2008

As a MHA/MBA student at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, the ACHE Congress held March of 2008 in Chicago, Illinois was a tremendous experience. In contrast, to eBay Live with more pins, more ribbons, more free food, and more music - ACHE Congress on Healthcare Leadership provided top notch educational value. While both events hold sessions and provide networking opportunities, ACHE is definitely for "professionals". For one thing, I saw no ACHE name tags with over 30 attachments hanging to their knees.

I was a first time attendee to the ACHE Congress on Healthcare Leadership. The things I learned include the power of meeting face to face with healthcare executives, the benefits of being a Program Assistant, and the fun of being part of the MHA program at the University of Utah.

At eBay Live, sellers, buyers, and a wide assortment of others join together in a rousing circus-like atmosphere while at the ACHE Congress a business professional image pervades and serious approaches to healthcare issues are explored. Meeting executives at the ACHE Congress turned out to be very fun. During one of the breaks I met Mr. BG David A. Rubenstein, FACHE, the new Chairman for 2008-2009. He is an accomplished leader and comes from the Armed Services. You can listen to his opening remarks here.

Another networking opportunity came during the luncheon held on Monday. As a student associate of ACHE, I am also a member of the Utah Healthcare Executives (UHE) where Mr. Mark J. Howard, FACHE worked for Intermountain Healthcare for many years. Mr. Howard was awarded ACHE's highest honor, the Gold Medal Award because of his significant contributions to the healthcare field throughout his career. After the luncheon in which he was presented his award, Mr. Howard met with a small group of MHA students from the University of Utah. Mr. Howard is an amazing and inspiring leader.

Other opportunities at Congress include being a Program Assistant. Doing so provided a unique opportunity to introduce the speakers to the audience. Mr. Joseph Bujak, MD is an incredible speaker and presented a compelling presentation on aligning administrators and physicians to take care of patients. And Mr. Michael Nowicki, MD is a wizard when it comes to financial management of hospitals. We met the day after his presentation and chatted. He signed his latest book for me. I highly recommend being a Program Assistant.

The University of Utah has had a certificate in Health Services Administration since about 1977 and the University has only recently begun offering the Masters of Healthcare Administration. Although the program is new, it has a long history and for this reason I selected the MHA/MBA program at the University of Utah. I think the program is uniquely positioned to take advantage of networking opportunities with some of the best healthcare organizations in the nation. In March 2008 at the World Famous Giordano's in Chicago, the University of Utah held its first MHA gathering with five students for an ACHE Congress. We are looking forward to many more.

On a side note, it turns out eBay Live 2008 is being held in Chicago this year. I wonder if I'll see any healthcare executives there?

Jake
Candidate MHA/MBA 2008
Cofounder FHLA at the University of Utah

FHLA Site Visit: Intermountain Healthcare

On March 24th, the Future Healthcare Leaders of America visited with Mr. Bill Nelson, CEO of Intermountain Healthcare. We met at Intermountain's corporate board room in downtown Salt Lake City. Intermountain Healthcare is a not for profit health system based in Salt Lake City, Utah. The system employs over 28,000 employees and is comprised of 21 hospitals, a health plan, physicians, and clinics. Intermountain is recognize for clinical excellence in medical care. Learn more about Intermoutain Healthcare by clicking here.

Mr. Nelson provided some excellent advice about careers, excellence in healthcare, and the future of healthcare. He described Intermountain's mission, vision, and values. The history of Intermountain includes being a donation to the community in 1975 by a religious organization. The ability to monitor and report on clinical processes is the key to success in providing the best medical care at the lowest possible cost.

Our thanks to Mr. Nelson for his advice and time.

FHLA Leadership

About Intermountain Healthcare

FHLA Site Visit: Ogden Regional Medical Center, HCA Hospital System

On March 19th, 2008, the Future Healthcare Leaders of America (the MHA student organization at the University of Utah) had the opportunity to meet with Ogden Regional Medical Center’s administrative team. Ogden Regional Medical Center is a member of the MOUNTAINSTAR Network of HCA. See the administration team at the Ogden Regional Medical Center by clicking here.

We engaged in a lively dialogue with CEO Mark Adams, CNO Jo Burt, and COO Dana Oaks. We learned about their career paths and after our discussion we went on a tour of the hospital. One of the MHA students had done an internship at Ogden Regional and we were able to see the fruits of their labor. The hospital had implemented a hand cleansing campaign with hand cleanser at every door.

Our thanks to Mr. Adams, Ms. Burt, and Mr. Oaks for the opportunity to tour their excellent facility. Your experience and expertise is amazing.

FHLA Leadership

Learn more about the Ogden Regional Medical Center by visiting their website, click here. Ogden Regional Medical Center is affilicated with HCA, Inc. Ogden Regional Medical Center is a 239 bed hospital with over 300 physicians. They are home to AirMed, an emergency air ambulance service associated with the University of Utah Hospitals and Clinics.

Welcome to the Future Healthcare Leaders of America

Hello everyone,

To help us get to know each other better, we have set up this blog spot for anyone who is interested in blogging with other MHA students and friends. So...blog away!!

FHLA Leadership Team