University of Utah

University of Utah Hospital Site Visit

2009-12-15T00:19:00.002-07:00

On Friday, December 4, 2009 FHLA members visited the University of Utah Hospital. We met with COO, Quinn L. Mckenna, and toured some of the hospital facilities.

Mr. Mckenna shared with us his career path prior to becoming the COO. It included 10 years of consulting and previous COO roles with Salt Lake Regional Medical Center and the University of Washington in Seattle. He explained to us that as an academic medical center, the University of Utah Hospital needs to balance three distinct areas: patient care, research, and teaching. He encouraged us to gain experience and exposure to the industry where ever we can. He said that when hiring he looks for “. . . people who make a difference not just people who hold a position.” Mr. Mckenna was very open in fielding our questions about health care reform. He thought that with some of the new proposals there would be more work and less compensation, but at the same time he was upbeat about it and looked forward to the challenge.

The tour of the hospital included a trip to the emergency room (a planed trip). The facilities were physically impressive as was the system explained to us, which treats emergency patients. We were also able to view the bed board system and learn how the hospital keeps track of patients and the availability status of the rooms in the hospital. These behind the scene opportunities provide great insight to us as we continue to learn more about careers in health care administration.

Utah Department of Health Site Visit

2009-11-20T10:30:00.002-07:00

On Thursday, November 15, 2009, FHLA members visited the Utah Department of Health. We met with several mid-level employees, each working in a different topic and/or technical area within the Utah Department of Health. Each employee shared with us his/her experience working in state government, the personal career path forged thus far, his/her day-to-day duties, and potential options he/she is considering for the future. FHLA members were able to see how these employees were using marketing skills (i.e., for tobacco cessation), management skills (i.e., for state-wide quality assurance and quality improvement), leadership and team-building skills (i.e., for the partnerships forged with townships in efforts to improve walkability), as well as data-analysis skills (i.e., for designing and implementing cancer program activities); all skills that we are now refining in this degree program. The informal setting provided a wonderful medium for discussion and introspection. It allowed FHLA members to learn more about the Utah Department of Health as we consider careers in the field of health administration.

Redstone Health Center Site Visit

2009-10-02T00:17:00.002-06:00

On September 18, the ACHE/FHLA club visited the Redstone Health Center in Park City. Redstone is a part of University Health Care and is set up specifically for “patient centered” care. Manager, Pati Colvin, gave a presentation about the organization of the clinic followed by a tour of its unique design features. Each feature was aimed at providing quick and seamless patient care from the moment the patient enters the clinic. Some of the unique physical features of the clinic are a small waiting room and reception area, having each treatment room stocked with the same equipment and the use of wireless communication. The staff is divided into treatment teams and the supporting medical staff is cross -trained in many functions, such as collecting co-pays, assisting in care and scheduling. Pati enjoys her job overseeing a new way of providing health care that is showing real results in patient satisfaction. We enjoyed getting a glimpse into a pioneering effort to improve the delivery of healthcare.

Redstone Health Center Site Visit

2009-09-13T21:46:00.005-06:00

Hello All,

This Friday, September 18, at 3:00 pm we will be making a site visit to the Redstone Health Center in Park City followed by a FHLA opening social. Redstone Health Center is one of the community health centers associated with the University Healthcare System. It is fairly new and is unique in its operations and is a model for the way patients are seen and cared for. FHLA visited this clinic last year and found that it was a great opportunity to see a few of the trends in patient/provider interaction within the healthcare industry.

We will meet to carpool outside the CRCC Point Restaurant at 2:15 pm and would request that if you are able to drive, please let us know when you RSVP to both the site visit and the opening social.

Please RSVP to ache.fhla@gmail.com by Wednesday, September 16th.

Below are driving directions through Google Maps. If the links do not open directly, double click and then select "go to link" or paste them into your browser.

Driving Directions from the University of Utah to Redstone Health Clinic:

FHLA Presidency

2009-09-13T11:14:00.002-06:00

From left to right:
Don McCartney, Ashley Anderson, Bryson Brey

FHLA Membership and Events

2009-09-07T23:36:00.002-06:00

Hello All,

Thank you for your interest in the Future Healthcare Leaders of America (FHLA) club. Typically, the club meets twice a month, once for discussion with Scott Parker; the founding CEO of IHC, as well as other featured guests; and once a month for a site visit. FHLA has a lot of great activities and networking opportunities this year. Members are invited to all activities. Non-members can attend site visits if there is additional space.

Membership Details:
This year members are asked to pay $25 to cover the cost of activities. This can be paid to any of the presidency members.

President: Ashley Anderson
Co-Vice Presidents:Bryson Brey and Don McCartney

Upcoming Activities:

Brown Bag Dates - Fall Semester
Thursday, October 1, 2009 - with Scott Parker and featured guest John T. Nielson. John Nielson will address the current health care reform issues both nationally and in our own state. John T. Nielson was asked by Governor Huntsman to staff the task force that prepared the legislative proposals on healthcare reform. He has also served as the IHC Vice President for Government Affairs.

Thursday, Oct 22, 2009 - with Scott Parker

Thursday, November 19, 2009 - with Scott Parker

All brown bags will be held in BUC 450 from 4:30-5:30pm

Site Visits
Friday, September 18th Visit to Redstone Clinic in Park City from 2-4pm. Afterwards we will be meeting at Professor Debbie Scammon's House in Park City for refreshments and a social. More details to follow.

November - Tenative visit to the State Health Department

December 4, 2009 - Visit to The University of Utah Hospital from 11am-12pm. We will be meeting with Quinn McKenna, Chief Operating Officier.

January - Tenative visit to The Veterans Hospital (VA)

Please RSVP to ache.fhla@gmail.com for all site visits

Internships and Updates of some of our University of Utah MHA Graduates

2009-04-15T10:00:00.013-06:00

2009 MHA Graduates

Front Row: Carol Hsieh, Janelle Robinson, Dir. Debbie Scammon, Amy Gooch

Back Row: John North, Bart Lefan, Jake Budd, Shane Whittier, Chad Colby, Anthony Rodebush

Jake Budd-

Interned with the Intermountain Medical Group located at the Central Office of Intermountain Healthcare in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Jake worked on an innovative Best Practices Library where physicians, directors, managers and quality improvement teams can share their work within the Medical Group. Jake also prepared a business plan for onsite clinics and assisted in the creation of Intermountain Medical Group's five year strategic plan.

Jake has accepted an administrative fellowship in Michigan with the Henry Ford Health System to begin July 2009.

Bart LeFan-

Interned as a Financial Analyst for the Division of Otolaryngology (ENT) within the University of Utah School of Medicine in Salt Lake City.

Bart organized a reliable accounting system for hearing aid sales, and helped to increase the profitability of the Audiology Clinic. He led a supply chain consolidation in order to gain better "bulk-rate" prices on supplies and to reduce the amount of paperwork for providers. He also organized a joint sales promotion with a major manufacturer, increasing revenues by $50,000.

Bart also spent time investigating the viability of a joint-venture surgical center with other University physician groups. This greenfield project in the central Salt Lake Valley was valued at $50 million. Pro formas were generated to determine the space, staffing, and patient volume needed to make the venture profitable.

Bart will continue in a full-time position with the Division of Otolaryngology and the Department of Surgery.

John North-

Interned with Edward Hospital and Health Services in Naperville, Illinois.

In 2007 Edward was recognized as the number one hospital for quality in Chicago’s south and west suburbs as well as number one for overall quality among non-academic hospitals in the Chicagoland area.

John reviewed current policies and procedures and compared them with what was actually done. He then recommended policy changes to human recourses based on the hospital's new no-lift policy; which is that patients are not to be manually lifted by caregivers. John also worked with the Home Health division to decrease the number of rehospitalizations. By analyzing patient data, John determined populations with greater risk of readmission and recommended policy changes based on his findings. Lastly John modified medication administration protocols and procedures for the pharmacy department.

John has commissioned into the Navy Medical Service Corps. His first selected assignment will be in the health clinic of the New London, Connecticut Submarine Base. Prior to his service in Connecticut, he will attend Officer Development School in Newport, Rhode Island.

Janelle Robinson-

Interned at Castleview Hospital in Price, Utah.

Janelle developed separate action plans to increase satisfaction scores in the Emergency Department, and amongst employees and physicians. She worked with the HR Department to collect data/information and to update job descriptions for positions throughout the entire hospital.

Janelle also worked with the Director of Quality and Risk Management in the hospital to identify risk management trends, risk reduction initiatives and performance improvement outcomes. Based on the findings, Janelle created a poster/visual display which shared this information with hospital employees in an effort to increase quality throughout the hospital.

Janelle has accepted a fellowship at the University of Utah Hospital under the direction of Mr. David Entwistle, CEO, to begin June 2009.

Anthony Rodebush-

Interned at HCA's Ogden Regional Medical Center in Ogden, Utah.

Anthony wrote the MD Navigate implementation toolkit; a step by step process for primary-care-to-specialist referrals through an HCA Call Center. With the Hospital CEO, Anthony implemented MD Navigate for two primary care clinics and more than one hundred specialists.

Other projects included key pay practice changes, a three year physician recruitment strategy, preparation for and response to the Joint Commission accreditation survey, and the implementation of new hospital services including, hyperbaric medicine, pet ct, big bore ct, and infusion services.

Anthony has accepted a position with Ogden Regional Medical Center as Director of Imaging and Outpatient Development.

Shane Whittier-

Interned at the Mountain West Surgical Center, located in Bountiful, UT.

While at the Surgical Center, Shane performed financial analysis of various operations, worked closely with the Center's Administrator on facility NPI compliance, and aided in the upgrade of electronic billing. In addition to these responsibilities Shane was involved in the implementation of the Center's insurance contracts.

Shane is currently working at Mountain West Surgical Center. He is applying for mid-level management positions in Hospitals across the intermountain west.

Utah Healthcare Executives

2009-03-05T06:00:00.000-07:00

The Utah Healthcare Executives is a chapter of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

UHE exists to provide networking, education and career advise for aspiring healthcare leaders. If you are a member of ACHE you are automatically a member of UHE.

ACHE student membership costs just $75 dollars annually. If you sign up after September 1st, the $75 dollars pays for the rest of the year and all of the following year. UHE offers periodic networking and educational events with substantial discounts for student associates.

Contact FHLA for further information on the benefits of UHE membership.

FHLA Leadership

Redstone Health Center

2009-02-27T11:34:00.001-07:00

REDSTONE HEALTH CENTER

February 27th students visited with Pati Colvin, Clinic Manager of the Redstone Health Center in Park City, Utah.

The Redstone Health Center is one of relatively few 'patient-centered medical homes' across the United States. As a result, visitors from all over come to learn how this center is dramatically improving comprehensive primary care.

A Patient-Centered Medical Home is an approach to providing comprehensive primary care for children, youth, and adults. It is a health care setting that facilitates partnerships between individual patients, and their personal physicians, and when appropriate, the patient's family. Principles that describe the PCMH are the following: personal physician, physician directed medical practice, whole person orientation, coordinated/integrated care, quality and safety, enhanced access, and payment reform.

*Afterwards students hung out with MHA Program Director Debbie Scammon, her husband, horses, cats, and dogs at her breathtaking Park City getaway home.

Veterans Affairs Hospital SLC

2009-01-16T17:48:00.001-07:00

On January 16th, students visited the VA hospital to meet with Acting Director, Rima Nelson. Ms. Nelson is a graduate of the University of Utah MPH/HSA Program.

The VA System

Veteran Affairs is able to spend less per patient than private hospitals by focusing on prevention. Comprehensive testing during a single visit allows the VA to monitor overall patient health. This enables the VA to detect and treat early signs of illness.

Students interested in getting involved in VA initiatives or in doing a volunteer internship should contact James Walston at james.walston2@va.gov.

MountainWest Surgical Center

2008-11-14T16:04:00.004-07:00

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

2008-10-24T19:00:00.004-06:00

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

2008-09-13T17:35:00.004-06:00

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

2008-09-06T21:00:00.004-06:00

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

2008-05-08T10:03:00.002-06:00

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

2008-04-11T18:30:00.001-06:00

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

2008-03-31T13:19:00.012-06:00

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

2008-03-25T18:30:00.001-06:00

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

2008-03-20T18:30:00.003-06:00

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

2008-03-01T23:40:00.001-07:00

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