Horizons - Winter 2013-14 by Catholic Health East

1, 6 Lourdes Launches Superhero-Based Health Insurance Marketplace Provides Access to Care 2-3 Hand Hygiene Campaign How We Will Live Out Our Mission Statement Across the System Richard J. Gilfillan, M.D., Named President and CEO of CHE Trinity Health 4 10 Minutes with … Pete DeAngelis

Winter 2013-2014

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HORIZONS Health Insurance Marketplace

Provides Access to Care

he Affordable Care Act, enacted in 2010, has a provision that mandates that everyone have health insurance beginning on January 1, 2014. On October 1, federal- and statemanaged Health Insurance Marketplaces 1 began the open enrollment process in each state. These Marketplaces, or ‘exchanges’ as they are also called, will enable uninsured or underinsured individuals and families to find a health insurance plan that fits their budgets. The Marketplace plans come in four levels—platinum, gold, silver and bronze—but all include certain essential benefits including hospitalization, emergency and wellness care, maternity and prescription coverage. The plans cover from 60 to 90 percent of personal health care costs, with higher monthly premium plans covering a greater percentage of costs. Low-income individuals and families are also eligible for federal subsidies in the form of a tax credit which will be applied directly to the monthly premium to help offset costs. Eligibility and credit amount depend on family and income size.

their families,” said Peter L. DeAngelis Jr., CHE Trinity Health executive vice president and president, CHE Division. “In each of the 20 states with a CHE Trinity Health ministry, patients can choose a plan that has their primary care physician or, if they don’t have a physician, they can build a relationship with one in the plan they choose. Throughout the selection process, our vision is for people to view our ministries as a “Health reform is complicated and trusted health partner that they people are trying to understand the can turn to for answers and for right thing to do for themselves and help.”

By the one-month mark, fewer than 27,000 people signed up for health care using the federal website. This is far below the projected target of 500,000 people. States running their own Marketplaces did better, signing up more than 79,000, for a total enrollment of approximately 106,0002. To help educate consumers and colleagues, CHE Trinity Health created customizable materials targeting the working uninsured that were shared throughout the system.

The open enrollment period for Marketplace plans continues through March 31, 2014. Because of the difficulties consumers have had accessing the online Marketplace, penalties will not be enforced as long as they are enrolled by that end date. And the difficulties have been many. While some states—mainly those who are running their own state-managed marketplaces—have had few issues, states who depend on the federally managed healthcare.gov website, have very low enrollment numbers.

So, why so much trouble? If they know there is a problem, why can’t it simply be ‘fixed’? According to some industry and technical experts, the problem lies in the coding and architecture of the system. The inherent nature of software is that it demands perfection. Computers do exactly what a user tells it to do. Even small errors can be disastrous. And in a project of this magnitude, there are ultimately changes up until the last minute, which can have cascading adverse effects on the systems and software already in place. Despite these difficulties, CHE Trinity Health RHMs are continuing to educate consumers about the Marketplace and the importance of getting coverage for themselves and their families. Many Regional Health Ministries (RHMs) have launched the “Hardworking Americans” marketing campaign—developed by and for CHE Trinity Health RHMs—designed continued on page 6

A PUBLICATION FOR THE SPONSORS, BOARDS, REGIONAL LEADERSHIP, SYSTEM OFFICE AND COLLEAGUES OF CATHOLIC HEALTH EAST

ive carefully selected Core Values offer colleagues in CHE Trinity Health guidelines for living out the organization’s newly worded mission statement. Together they are the words that will unite colleagues professionally and spiritually across 20 states so they can collaborate better. “When people ask why we need a new mission statement, I think about some metaphors—an anchor comes to mind, a beacon or a cornerstone,” said Sister Mary Persico, I.H.M., Ed.D., executive vice president, mission integration. “Those images help us stop, look around, and take stock of where we are, while making sure we are rooted in something. That’s the purpose of a mission statement.”

We, CHE Trinity Health, serve together in the spirit of the Gospel as a compassionate and transforming healing presence within our communities. Mission leaders throughout the system will spend more than a year helping colleagues understand, own and embrace the mission statement. In their work, these mission leaders will remind colleagues that the new statement expresses our culture, our sociology and our work—all renewed since the coming together of CHE and Trinity Health in May. “Our Mission has not and will never change,” said Sister Mary. “Our Mission comes from the Gospel, and the Gospel endures forever.” CHE Trinity Health’s guidelines for living the new mission statement will be familiar to colleagues as an intentionally inspirational set of Core Values, also informed by biblical roots and Catholic social theology:

Reverence: We honor the sacredness and dignity of every person. Commitment to Those Who Are Poor: We stand with and serve those who are poor, especially those most vulnerable.

How We Will Live Out Justice: We foster right relationships to promote the common good, including sustainability of Earth. Stewardship: We honor our heritage and hold ourselves accountable for the human, financial and natural resources entrusted to our care. Integrity: We are faithful to who we say we are. Mission leaders in every Regional Health Ministry (RHM) will provide tools, training, seminars and more on the mission statement and on each of the Core Values over the next year. “What we’ll be doing over the next year is learning more about these words, internalizing them as our own in CHE Trinity Health and seeing very clearly where they come from and how they apply to our work,” said Philip Boyle, Ph.D., vice president, mission and ethics. Mission leaders from across the ministry worked together to create the new mission statement and Core Values. Their goals were two-fold: 1. To honor the respective histories of CHE and Trinity Health by including beloved concepts from each organization’s respective original version 2. To develop a mission statement and set of Core Values that reflect CHE Trinity Health’s future vision Catholic Health Ministries, CHE Trinity Health’s public juridic person, or sponsor, affirmed the final choices and the new mission statement and Core Values were approved by the CHE Trinity Health board of directors. “We consolidated in the interest of a shared mission, unified voice and excellence in care, but this organization will truly come together as one through the adoption of our strong, meaningful mission statement and the value system that supports it,” said Judith M. Persichilli, R.N., B.S.N., M.A., CHE Trinity Health’s former president and chief executive officer. She asked that colleagues reflect on the new Mission and Core Values carefully. “Think of what you will do to demonstrate these words by how you live and by how you bring these legacies into the way you serve every day,” she said. “The mission statement and Core Values are ours to

own and love as we work together. Ultimately, they’ll drive our organization’s future success and our impact on the communities we serve.”

Colleagues Demonstrate Love of the Mission and Values that Drive Us At the end of summer, about 100 colleagues gathered in focus groups to talk about the new mission statement in terms of what resonated with them the most in the words—and how each word’s concepts and meanings are lived out in the organization. “The focus group conversations about our new mission statement and Core Values were inspiring,” said Jim Letourneau, director, mission and spirituality, CHE Trinity Health. “We learned about participants’ hearts and spirits—and their integration with our Mission—through their sharing. And we also heard wonderful stories about how our ministries and people bring the Mission to life every day.” According to many participants, the new mission statement and Core Values provide meaning, foster spirituality and offer great importance to every effort in the system. “I really like the addition of the word ‘compassion’,” said Joe Larkin, executive director, Mercy LIFE in Springfield, Mass. “It is a reinforcement and reminder of how we live and act every day—and of our responsibility to make sure that never changes.” Roger G. Klauer, M.Div., M.D., from St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Mishawaka, Ind., was grateful for the chance to slow down and think deeply about the Mission Statement. “It strikes me that we do not often stop to reflect on what it means to serve in the spirit of the Gospel,” said Klauer. “We may end up sacrificing our comfort for that of our patients and, in doing that, by going above and beyond, we hope that just maybe one person will witness that love and forgiveness and raise the bar on their own participation in society.” “This mission statement is not new to me at all,” said Edna Silangil, R.N., nurse manager of the Orthopedic Nursing Unit at Holy Cross Hospital in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. “It is very much the same as the one I continued on the next page

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Our Mission Statement New Founding Principles Among the important documents making their debut for CHE Trinity Health is a new set of Founding Principles. The Founding Principles, written by groups of colleagues and approved by Catholic Health Ministries, provide direction to our actions and an identity for our ministry. They offer more detail to the lived experience and aspirational goals of our Mission and Core Values. While the specific language of the Founding Principles may be new, the spirit of the principles delivers seamless continuity for the legacies of our organization. knew before, in CHE, because the concepts are the same. And these concepts have been ingrained in us.”

1. We serve all persons who are in need of healing, especially those who are vulnerable and at the margins of society.

Sister Mary explained that the new mission statement and our Core Values have changed to reflect our new identity, but, in honoring our rich histories, they maintain strong similarities—in words, meaning and in faith.

2. We are a prophetic voice as we advocate for social conditions that promote both the common good and the good of every individual.

“The people who participated found that the familiar concepts they have always valued are still present in the meaning and implications of the new words,” she said. “They also saw that the new words or wording add new value, too. They help our communities see how we will serve.”

4. We recognize and celebrate the dignity of the human person and we honor each person’s culture, spirituality and faith tradition.

On the concept of ‘community’ in the mission statement, Maria Gatto, director of palliative care for CHE Trinity Health, stated that it resonates with her because “our organization’s presence is not boxed in within four walls of an institution. It reminds us we are all part of the community of humankind,” she said. The sessions helped provide mission leaders with assurance that the work they put into creating the mission statement will continue to be successful far into the organization’s future. Once they are fully integrated into our system’s culture, the mission statement and Core Values will explain who we are as an organization to everyone—from colleagues to vendors to those who entrust CHE Trinity Health ministries with their care.

3. We embrace change and make quality choices that promote healthy communities, nurture Earth, and protect future generations.

5. We are formed by the essential elements of ethical and spiritual care that guide us in all our relationships and align our actions with Catholic social and moral traditions. 6. We make thoughtful decisions that reflect our Mission, Core Values and Vision. 7. We are committed to fostering a culture that attracts a diverse global community that welcomes neighbor and stranger alike. 8. We provide ministry formation to all colleagues that we might learn together and become united in community. 9. We support our Sponsor, system and RHM board members, leaders and colleagues to sustain and deepen our Catholic Identity. 10. We celebrate our founders, our accomplishments, and successes and ritualize in myriad ways our call to share the profound love of God made visible in Jesus.

Richard J. Gilfillan, M.D., Named

President and CEO of CHE Trinity Health

ollowing a nationwide search, Richard J. Gilfillan, M.D., former director of the federal Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI), was named CHE Trinity Health’s new president and chief executive officer. His appointment was effective November 18, 2013. Dr. Gilfillan has been a leader in U.S. health care for more than 20 years, building successful organizations in the for-profit and not-for-profit sectors to deliver better outcomes for people and communities. As CMMI’s first director, he launched the Center in 2010 and worked with payers and providers to develop innovative models for improving patient care and reducing costs. “Rick’s leadership and many accomplishments across the spectrum of care, including his years as a practicing physician and as a successful industry executive, assure us that he has the experience, compassion and values to lead our ministry and Catholic health care to a strong future,” said Melanie Dreher, Ph.D., R.N., chair, CHE Trinity Health board of directors. “In the midst of a transforming industry, Rick brings a national presence and comprehension to guide our ministry as we pursue new opportunities, tackle new challenges and fulfill our mission.” “We are excited Rick has joined the CHE Trinity Health team, and we will work together to ensure a smooth transition,” said Judith M. Persichilli, R.N., B.S.N., M.A., who served as CHE Trinity Health’s interim president and CEO since early 2013. “The board reviewed many strong candidates for this job, and Rick stood out because of his leadership, track record for innovation and shared commitment to the mission and values of our ministry.” Prior to his appointment at CMMI, Gilfillan was president and CEO of Geisinger Health Plan and executive vice president of insurance operations for Geisinger Health System, a large integrated health system in Pennsylvania. At Geisinger, he led the design of new payment systems and medical care initiatives that increased the quality of care for patients. Previously, he was the senior vice president for national network management of Coventry Health Care. He also held earlier executive positions at Independence Blue Cross. “CHE Trinity Health has a strong legacy of delivering

Richard J. Gilfillan, M.D.

Above: Rick Gilfillan shares a lighthearted moment with DeChandra Hendry (left) and Tara Catalano from revenue management during his visit to the Newtown Square campus on November 25. Below: CHE Division colleagues participate in a blessing for new CEO Rick Gilfillan (far right).

exceptional care throughout its ministry. The board is committed to building on this success and making our ministry a national leader in transforming U.S. health care into a high-value care system that improves the lives of the people and communities we serve,” said Gilfillan. “I am honored to be selected and thrilled to have the opportunity to work with CHE Trinity Health’s dedicated colleagues and regional health ministries to accomplish this mission.” Gilfillan began his career as a family medicine physician and later became a medical director and a chief medical officer. He earned his undergraduate and medical degrees from Georgetown University and an M.B.A. from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. “Rick’s expertise, experience and leadership at the national level will be invaluable to CHE Trinity Health as we continue the transition from volume to value, and increasingly focus on improving the health of populations,” said Peter L. DeAngelis Jr., executive vice 4

president, CHE Trinity Health and president of the CHE Division. “Health care is in a period of extraordinary change, and we are confident that Rick is the right person at the right time to help our ministry be a transforming, healing presence within the communities we are privileged to serve.” Gilfillan visited the CHE Division System Office in Newtown Square, Pa., on November 25. At an All-Colleague meeting attended by hundreds of System Office colleagues, Gilfillan shared his vision for the health system, took questions, and joined colleagues at a reception immediately following the meeting. “I’m looking forward to hitting the ground listening,” said Gilfillan. “We’re blessed to have so many talented colleagues in our local ministries and in the System Office. I’m eager to hear more about their ideas for how to move our health ministry forward and help us strengthen Catholic health care at the national level.”

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Lourdes Launches Superhero-Based Hand Hygiene Campaign

It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s The Sanitizer!

ith cold and flu season just around the corner, Lourdes Health System has launched a campaign using a superhero called The Sanitizer to educate staff, patients and visitors about the importance of maintaining proper hand hygiene and avoiding hospital-acquired infections. The infection prevention and control department asked Lourdes associates to come up with a slogan for the campaign. More than 100 entries were submitted. Dr. Joseph Ombalsky, a hospitalist at Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center, Camden, N.J., was chosen the winner for his entry, “Bam, Pow, Zap Out Infection! Clean Hands Before and After Every Patient Contact.” Based on Dr. Ombalsky’s slogan, the Lourdes marketing department commissioned an artist to create its very own superhero to deliver this important message.

The Sanitizer hand washing campaign was created around Dr. Ombalsky’s winning slogan, “Bam, Pow, Zap Out Infection! Clean Hands Before and After Every Patient Contact.”

Top: Alex Hatala, Lourdes’ president and CEO; and Bottom: Dr. Joseph Ombalsky demonstrate proper hand washing techniques.

“The Santizer is a superhero who fights the bad guys, or in this case, the bad germs that cause infection,” said Mary Fornek, patient safety officer and corporate director of infection control and prevention. “He protects our patients and fellow employees from sickness. And he serves as a reminder that with proper hand hygiene, we can continue to help patients heal so that they, and all of us, can lead healthy lives.” Posters, t-shirts and other promotional material featuring the winning slogan and The Sanitizer have been distributed throughout the health system. Carnival-style cardboard cutouts of The Sanitizer for staff and to stick The visitors Excellence in their face in for a photo are being created. Governance Award was presented Susan superhero A. While thetoslogan, and materials are part of Martino, C.F.P.,around by Jakethe campaign, the core is the enthusiasm Bell, president and CEO, education, said Fornek. “The best way to improve hand Mercy Medical, hygiene is education. For example, how long to wash Daphne, Ala. your hands, which soap or alcohol foam to use and what happens when hands are not washed, or are not washed thoroughly enough, or when alcohol foam is not used.”

mandatory for all its employees. Once sessions are complete, employees will be given fun “man on the street” interviews about hand hygiene and will vie for hand hygiene t-shirts and other giveaways.

“Ultimately, we are all Sanitizers,” said Fornek. “Each one of us plays a role in hand hygiene. We have a big responsibility, because our patients’ lives are in our hands. And associates are really embracing the campaign. It really shows Lourdes’ commitment to patient safety and quality.”

“Lourdes is fully committed to hand hygiene and infection prevention,” said Alexander J. Hatala, president The infection prevention and control department at and chief executive officer of Lourdes Health System. Lourdes is bringing education sessions to locations where “Patient care is at the forefront of what we do. We deeply For more information, please contact Mary Fornek employees can easily attend. Because Lourdes is support a campaign that educates employees in an effort at fornekm@lourdesnet.org. committed to patient safety, hand hygiene education is to help our patients heal and potentially save lives.” 5

Health Insurance Marketplace

Provides Access to Care

continued from page 1

to inform the public about the new health insurance marketplaces and help select plans that best fit their needs.

A short video spot was produced for RHMs to post on YouTube and hospital websites, along with other consumer information.

The campaign uses TV, radio, billboard, print advertising and social media to promote resources that can help uninsured adults and families find a plan that fits their budget and gives them peace of mind. The target audience for the campaign includes low- and moderateincome individuals and families who work hard for their money but do not have employerbased coverage and who do not qualify for Medicaid or Medicare. “The objective of our campaign is to raise awareness, increase access to quality care for those who are uninsured or underserved and motivate people to pick a plan that includes one of CHE Trinity Health’s organizations,” said Michele Szczypka, regional chief marketing officer for Saint Joseph Mercy Health System in southeast Michigan, who is leading CHE Trinity Health’s marketing strategy for health insurance marketplaces. The challenge, Szczypka said, was recently revealed through a Kaiser Family Foundation Poll: nearly half of the uninsured know nothing at all about health insurance marketplaces. CHE Trinity Health is working to change that by partnering with local community agencies and developing communications to educate the public and internal stakeholders. St. Mary Medical Center in Langhorne, Pa., opened six community outreach centers throughout the area to provide education and assistance to its local community. They continue to monitor the online system’s progress, and hope to see an increase in the number of people able to enroll. “We have been able to help people to sign up through hard-copy forms and will continue to support enrollment when the marketplace website is fully functioning,” said Barbara Adons, director, community health, St. Mary Medical Center. “We are finding that people are very thankful for our assistance with this process.”

St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in South Bend, Ind., also runs two convenient resource centers where people can learn about their options and enroll for coverage. The hospital also hosts weekly Health Insurance Community Education Sessions. “The guidelines of the Affordable Care Act may seem confusing and overwhelming,” said Pamela Henderson, chief marketing officer, St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. “One of the most critical pieces to understand is how uninsured individuals and families can access health coverage and avoid federal penalties that go into effect in 2014.” Holy Cross Hospital in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., has customized marketing materials for both its English and Spanish speaking populations. The community outreach department is coordinating with Advanced Patient Advocacy (APA) Services, helping to increase their outreach presence in the community. APA navigators have assisted more than 500 patients with completing paper applications, providing information, scheduling appointments and more. “We look forward to continuing to make our compassionate, quality health care accessible to greater and greater segments of our population,” said Linda Wilford, chief financial officer, and HIX accountable executive, Holy Cross Hospital.

In southeast Michigan, consumers who were blocked from entering the troubled healthcare.gov website found information on Saint Joseph Mercy Health System’s website, www.stjoeshealth.org/aca, and a special 30-minute documentary titled “Healthcare 101.” The website received more than 3,000 unique visitors and the primetime show was watched in 182,000 households. “The Health Insurance Marketplace has the power to advance our Mission, make health care affordable for individuals, strengthen our hospitals’ ability to serve and help us improve the health of our communities,” said Sister Mary Persico, I.H.M., Ed.D., executive vice president, mission integration, CHE Trinity Health. “It is critical that we each learn all we can about how they work—and that we share this information broadly with those we serve.” We encourage all of you to learn a little more about the Marketplace by visiting the following sites: www.che.org/healthinsurance or www.trinityhealth.org/ACA. 1

Pennsylvania and New Jersey will operate federallymanaged Marketplaces; Delaware will operate a federal-state partnership Marketplace. For a complete list of Marketplace types, visit: https://www.healthcare.gov/what-is-the-marketplace-inmy-state

Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

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Pictured: Sheryl Crow and her band perform for 30 breast cancer survivors along with their friends, family, and caregivers, as well as St. Mary physicians who cared for many of the patients.

St. Mary Medical Center and 92.5 WXTU Host Breast Cancer Survivors’ Luncheon to Honor “Pink Warriors” On Wednesday, November 13, St. Mary Medical Center (Langhorne, Pa.) and 92.5 WXTU partnered for the first time to offer a special recognition luncheon honoring breast cancer survivors, held at the Triumph Brewery in New Hope. The event was a culmination of a month-long period in October, during which friends, family and peers nominated breast cancer survivors for their strength and courage in fighting the disease. About 30 survivors and their guests were invited to the special luncheon, which included an empowering and inspirational program and a musical performance by Sheryl Crow, who is also a breast cancer survivor. The event also included brief remarks from Sister Marie Barbara McNamara, St. Mary chaplain; Susan Sample, St. Mary oncology service line administrator; and Dr. Stacy Krisher, medical director of the St. Mary Breast Center.

Students from the School of Radiologic Technology and the School of Nursing at St. Francis Medical Center (Trenton, N.J.) recently organized a Halloween drive to collect trick or treat goodies for the children of the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen (T.A.S.K.). Students from both schools decorated and assembled 100 trick or treat bags which included Halloween trinkets, coloring books, snacks, candy and even tooth brushes. On the day of the event, the “loot” was loaded into the back of an SUV and several students dressed in costumes to volunteer their time by working at the party. This involved serving food, handing out goodie bags and making crafts with the children. This project immersed students into the community, and created an initiative that required teamwork, organizational skills, collaboration with other groups and positive energy.

Holy Cross Hospital (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) recently welcomed the ANCC Magnet site surveyors in their quest for Magnet re-designation. The hospital geared up for the site visit with a Magnet Pep Rally. As fellow associates cheered in support, each department presented their Legacy Slogans which represent their contributions in providing quality patient care and by which they would like to be remembered for years to come.

New Publication to Replace Horizons in 2014 Since CHE and Trinity Health officially came together to form CHE Trinity Health earlier this year, the health system’s communications department has been developing a plan for the transition of our legacy publications. Beginning in early 2014, a new system-wide publication—sharing news, accomplishments, events and best practices—will be introduced, taking the place of Horizons. We’re looking forward to providing Horizons readers with a new, system-wide perspective of CHE Trinity Health, and in connecting colleagues from across our nationwide system in new and meaningful ways. Please enjoy this last issue of Horizons. We look forward to receiving your feedback about our new (and yet unnamed) CHE Trinity Health publication when it debuts next year!

Vice President, CHE Trinity Health and President, CHE Division 10 Minutes with... Pete DeAngelis Executive

eter L. DeAngelis Jr., was named executive vice president, CHE Trinity Health and president, CHE Division, in April 2013. DeAngelis joined CHE in 2003 from the University of Pennsylvania Health System, where he served as senior vice president and CFO. Prior to that, DeAngelis was the CFO and vice president of finance and administrative services for the Germantown Hospital and Medical Center in Philadelphia. A graduate of LaSalle University, DeAngelis earned a Bachelor of Science in accounting in 1979. He went on to earn an M.B.A. in accounting from LaSalle in 1985 and became a Certified Public Accountant that same year. DeAngelis has published articles and given numerous presentations throughout his career. He is a diplomat of the American College of Healthcare Administrators, and a fellow of the Healthcare Financial Management Association.

The implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) continues to move forward with introduction of Health Insurance Exchanges; the open enrollment period for these new insurance products opened on October 1. How has CHE prepared for these new developments? What impact will this have on our health system? CHE has prepared extensively for the ACA through multiple strategic planning processes—led by our Regional Health Ministries. We have projected the impact related to ACA changes and RHM leadership has developed initiatives to insure we continue to provide value through the changing landscape ahead. Further, we have engaged in processes to support the enrollment into both the health exchanges as well as expanded Medicaid programs. We developed the HORIZONS is a publication for the Sponsors, Boards, Regional Leadership, System Office and Colleagues of Catholic Health East. Published by:

3805 West Chester Pike, Suite 100 Newtown Square, PA 19073 Phone 610.355.2000 Fax 610.271.9600 www.che.org www.facebook.com/catholichealtheast Please direct comments and suggestions to info@che.org

believe is occurring throughout our nation’s health care system, we are constantly revisiting our assumptions as we move from a volume-based business model to a value-driven one. Strategic Repositioning 2.0 represented the latest, division-wide effort more specifically geared at analyzing detailed assumptions of the impact of the health exchanges as well as Medicaid expansion, and how we can best be prepared to address those changes.

Pete DeAngelis

Health Insurance Marketplace eLearning Module, a tool to help educate colleagues and consumers about the Health Insurance Marketplace and the options available for health insurance coverage. We also created a Health Insurance Exchange (HIX) Community within our portal (CHE Connect), which serves as a repository for customizable communication and marketing materials that build awareness and promote the availability of these new health insurance options. While we believe the impact of the ACA upon our health system will be significant, we believe the planning and preparations we have made position us to effectively meet community needs well into the future.

Throughout 2013, all CHE RHMs have been through an intensive planning process we refer to as Strategic Repositioning 2.0. Could you provide a brief overview of this process, and how it will benefit our ministry? Planning at CHE RHMs had become a year-long, continuous process. Due to the sea change we

You assumed the role of president of the CHE Division when CHE officially came together with Trinity Health to form CHE Trinity Health in May 2013. What are your key goals for the division? For the next year there are three goals we are focused upon: meeting the existing operating plan objectives, fully supporting the CHE Trinity Health consolidation process, and completing and implementing strategies and initiatives identified through our Strategic Repositioning 2.0 process. The first two initiatives help strengthen the foundation of our ministry in the short term, while the third initiative continues to build for the future growth of the ministry—a balanced approach.

Looking ahead to 2014 … what would you consider to be the top three challenges for the CHE Division? First, it is imperative that we continue to build relationships and alignment with physicians, thereby continuing our work toward value driven, clinically integrated networks of care. Second, we must continue to identify and execute cost structure opportunities , particularly in view of the uncertainty of additional reimbursement reductions in large part brought about by the country’s economic position and resulting impact on Medicare and Medicaid. Finally, we need to focus on finding innovative ways of creating value, in terms of both quality and cost, and partnering with payors to translate that value to our communities.

Horizons Editorial Staff