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Sold-out health care symposium coming to Niagara University Jan. 13

by jmaloni
Tue, Jan 10th 2012 12:50 pm

More than 160 individuals, representing 30 local health care organizations, will convene at Niagara University on Friday, Jan. 13, for a symposium addressing ways that organizations are effectively navigating new regulations in health care reform.

Titled "Exploring the Elements of the High Performing Health System: The Next Generation of Healthcare Service Delivery," the sold-out conference is co-sponsored by Niagara University and Catholic Health, and endorsed by the Healthcare Executive Forum of WNY.

Event attendees will hear from Catholic Health executives about how the nonprofit is leading the evolution of health care by delivering the right care, in the right place, while mitigating rising costs. Speakers will also discuss the new, Medicare/Medicaid-endorsed models of health care delivery that were piloted by the Centers for Medicare Services and are now being developed by Catholic Health.

Joe McDonald, president and CEO of Catholic Health and chair of the board of trustees of the Healthcare Association of New York State, will provide an overview of the development of Catholic Health and the organizations that comprise its system of care. He will also explain the steps taken in cooperation with Catholic Medical Partners, a group of more than 900 physicians, who, in partnership with Catholic Health, design and direct the care models offered to patients.

Michael Edbauer, D.O., Catholic Medical Partners' chief medical officer and vice president of medical affairs for home care and primary care at Catholic Health, will address the evolution of Catholic Medical Partners in collaboration with Catholic Health to become a high performing health system. His discussion will include the conversion to electronic medical records, implementation of standardized medical paths of care and the use of care coordinators in the physician's office to enhance and control the cost of care for patients with chronic medical conditions.

James A. Dunlop Jr., Catholic Health CFO and executive vice president of finance, will discuss the financial aspects of a high performing health system, how this model will be financed and what economic benefits it offers to the payers of health care, including the federal and state government, as well as private insurers such as BlueCross BlueShield, Health Now and United Health Care.

Michael Moley, Catholic Health senior vice president of human resources, will discuss how Catholic Health has capitalized on its quality, delivery and cost model to develop a benefit plan being offered to Western New York employers at a significant cost savings.

The Rev. Joseph L. Levesque, C.M., president of Niagara University, and Peggy Choong, Ph.D., an NU professor and AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) director of continuous improvement, will provide remarks on the university's behalf.

In 2009, Niagara University's College of Business Administration and Catholic Health collaborated to form an initiative that prepares professionals for leadership positions in the health care industry. The partnership allows students in NU's health care administration concentration to obtain real-world experience through field placements and mentorship opportunities within Catholic Health.

For additional information on the symposium, call Niagara University at 716-286-8173.

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