HEALTHCARE

February 25, 2009
The Miriam Hospital, Providence

Description

Where does the health care industry fit into the economy of the state? What are the most critical challenges facing our health care system now and in the near future? Where are hospitals and health centers collaborating and sharing resources? Where might they collaborate in the future and how might this impact RI’s economy, access to quality health care and health care costs? What medical innovations are being developed here in Rhode Island that will improve health care around the country?

In this session we discussed the challenges facing Rhode Island’s health care system. We focused on the health care provider and staff shortage, from nurses to nursing educators; from support staff to technical staff; from primary care physicians to specialists. We discussed the proposed merger of Lifespan and Care New England and heard about the challenges facing our community-based hospitals. Afterwards, the class toured innovative diagnostics and treatment technologies at The Miriam Hospital and Rhode Island Hospital.

Objective

To expand awareness with regards to the many challenges facing the health care system in RI and to gain insight into the complexities involved in making ethical decisions related to medical research and patient care. Additionally, participants will learn how to better prepare themselves and their loved ones in the event that patient care is needed.

Guest Presenters

Robert S. Crausman, MD
Chief Administrative Officer, RI Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline

Christopher F. Koller, LRI ’98
RI Health Insurance Commissioner

Frank Basile, MD
University Medicine Foundation

Milton Hamolsky, MD
Professor Emeritus of Medical Science, Brown University, Former Chief of Medicine at RI Hospital

Lenny Green, LRI ’02
Associate Director of Health and Chief of Staff, Rhode Island Department of Health and Adjunct Professor of Ethics in Health Care at Roger Williams University

Dr. Kathleen C. Hittner, LRI ’01
President & CEO, The Miriam Hospital

Jane Hayward, LRI ’93
President & CEO, RI Health Center Association

Ann Martino
Senior Administrator, Department of Human Services

Kim Jalette, LRI ’07
Director of Programs, LRI

Alumni Subcommittee: Healthcare Session

Kim Jalette '07
Leadership Rhode Island

Julie Casimiro '08
Children's Friend & Service

Ed D'Arezzo '08
Department of Health

Linda DiPalma '07
March of Dimes

Anthony DiPietro '08
Institute for the Study and Practice of NonViolence

Cheryl Lisi '06
Lifespan

Rosanne Lowe Ph.D., LRI ’07
Lowe Psychological Associates

Deborah O'Brien '06
The Providence Center

Lori Quaranta '02
Child & Family