American Health Care Congress offers platform for change
By Heather Reifsnyder
Loma Linda University School of Public Health will present a conference that will help find solutions for the problem of health care reform. The fourth annual American Health Care Congress will take place Tuesday, October 16, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Ontario Convention Center in Ontario.
The annual congress provides the brainstorming body necessary to achieve the goal of a sustainable health care system and encourages health professionals to influence health care policies. It will feature national experts, panel discussions, and a choice of concurrent workshops.
Audience members will be invited to participate in the discussion via interactive media devices. Additionally, continuing education credit is available for health educators and registered nurses.
"The congress enjoys an established track record of attracting some of the nation’s best minds in health care and health care policy," says David Dyjack, DrPH, CIH, dean of the Loma Linda University School of Public Health. "At the same time, it provides a critical venue for the exchange of ideas and best practices, which in turn drives the transformation desperately needed in the delivery of health care."
Keynote speakers
"This year's congress will feature some of the greatest thinkers in health care," says Dora Barilla, DrPH, chair of the congress and an instructor in the LLU School of Public Health.
Eight experts will be featured as speakers; three of them will deliver keynote addresses. The keynote speakers are Kenneth Kizer, MD, MPH; Thomas Lee, MD, MSc; and John Clymer.
Dr. Kizer is a speaker and consultant who has repeatedly been selected as one of the 100 most powerful people in health care by Modern Healthcare magazine. He has also been featured in Time, Business Week, and Fortune. Dr. Kizer works as president, CEO, and chair of Medsphere Systems Corporation.
Dr. Lee is a professor at Harvard Medical School and Harvard School of Public Health. He is associate editor of The New England Journal of Medicine. He serves as network president for Partners Healthcare System and chief executive officer for Partners Community HealthCare.
Mr. Clymer is president of Partnership for Prevention, a nonprofit health policy research organization in Washington, D.C., that offers health policy analysis and recommendations. He was previously vice president of external affairs at the Albert B. Sabin Vaccine Institute.
About the American Health Care Congress
Loma Linda University School of Public Health presented the first American Health Care Congress in 2004.
"Each year, the congress moves the debate toward true, systemic solutions," says Dr. Barilla. "Until we understand the systemic issues challenging our health care system, we will not find lasting reform. This year's congress will present multiple solutions for change."
Numerous organizations help sponsor the congress. The event's signature sponsor is the Institute for Healthcare Advancement (IHA). Other sponsors are First 5 of San Bernardino, the California Endowment, the City of Ontario, Inland Empire Health Plan, Latino Health Collaborative, Lewis Operating Companies, Loma Linda University Medical Center, National Coalition on Health Care, San Antonio Community Hospital, San Bernardino County Department of Public Health, and St. Joseph Health System.
More information about the congress is available at www.americanhealthcarecongress.org.
Registration
Register on or before September 25 to receive early bird rates of $195 for professionals, $45 for employees of community-based organizations, and $45 for students and senior citizens. After September 25, the rates are $215 for professionals, $60 for employees of community-based organizations, and $60 for students and senior citizens. Visit www.americanhealthcarecongress.org or call (909) 558-4595 or (800) 854-5661.
