More than 140 representatives from community-based organizations across Niagara County will focus on delivering better care through improved collaboration when Memorial Medical Center hosts a daylong conference Wednesday at Four Points by Sheraton in Niagara Falls.
Attendees will be invited to participate in the Niagara Community Partnership Project, a broad-based initiative to improve the level of care coordination between health care providers and community agencies.
The keynote speaker will be John R. Oishei Foundation Executive Vice President Paul Hogan. The Buffalo-based foundation enhances the economic vitality and quality of life for the Buffalo Niagara Region through grant making, leadership and network building.
"We will be addressing the need to change how we deliver care and services to those who are most vulnerable in an evolving era of federal and state health care reform," said Memorial Chief Operating Officer Sheila K. Kee. "Participants will share their perceptions about care coordination and identify strategies to overcome barriers that too often separate medical care from social supports and agencies."
Developing successful two-way communications will be a giant step in the right direction, Kee said.
"We will openly discuss strategies for sending and receiving referrals on behalf of a client in need, updating client progress, supporting client education and engaging in effectively coordinating care and services," Kee said. "Everybody will benefit if we collaborate effectively."
Wednesday's conference will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Four Points by Sheraton, 7001 Buffalo Ave., Niagara Falls.
