Thursday, October 28, 2010

The Future of Long-Term Care!

Dale Thompson and Becky Urbanski, of Benedictine Health Systems, published an article in the Catholic Health Association’s magazine, “Health Progress” last year that sounds the call for the future of healthcare in the US. We’ve have included an excerpt here for your reading pleasure!


Leaders in health care are bracing for the impending “Large wave” — the large group of aging adults of the baby boomer generation who will enter health care systems in ever larger numbers in the next 20 to 30 years. Unsurprisingly, these men and women, accustomed as they are to shaping change and progress over the past four decades, harbor heightened expectations for their health care and lifestyles as they age and are likely to have significant effects on the way health care services are delivered. It is clear, for instance, that boomers expect to continue to participate and contribute to society and enjoy life, preferably at home. For the most they are expected to demand continuation of their current living arrangements with adjustments for ability as needs arise. Eventually, though, many will enter long-term care facilities, and there too, they are expected to require innovative care. Their needs and desires, combined with a strong desire on the part of religious sponsors to see their ministries continue well into the future, pose pressing challenges for delivery of health care across the spectrum and are prompting long-term care facilities to look ahead and think creatively. For those in the field, heads are often spinning.

Please click the link below to access the entire article:

http://www.chausa.org/WorkArea/linkit.aspx?LinkIdentifier=id&ItemID=6406

Friday, September 10, 2010

Who is Paying for Healthcare?

Written By Kathy H. Wood, PhD, FHFMA

Healthcare, and how to pay for it, is constantly in the forefront of the news and political campaigns. Here are some interesting facts about the healthcare system in the United States: a) the number of uninsured or underinsured patients continues to rise, particularly given the economic and employment situation currently taking place in the United States; b) the uninsured population does not have the same access to care as those who are insured; c) uncollectable accounts impact the revenue cycle; and d) some people view healthcare as an entitlement.

The current healthcare reform proposals and the regulatory environment have an impact on the bottom line for healthcare facilities and providers. Although many people believe that universal healthcare is free, it definitely is not a free option. Individuals pay for healthcare in the United States through lower wages and higher prices. Government has no source of funds other than taxes or borrowing to pay for health care. Supporters of the healthcare reform believe healthcare is a basic human right and providing the care to maintain health, restore health, and prevent illness is a “responsibility each person owes others and government owes to all”. Opponents, however, are mostly against this bill in particular, not healthcare reform itself or working to seek coverage for all Americans. They believe it is too great an expansion of government, that it imposes on American freedoms and it includes too great a financial burden for our country to bear. Review the bill and decide for yourself how you think it will impact the nation.



References:

Faithlink, Volume 16, Number 1, May 2, 2010. Cokesbury.

Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA). www.hfma.org

Friday, August 27, 2010

New Program Advisory Committee Members


We are proud to announce that we have added two new members of the Health Administration Advisory Committee at SJC! Jon Abeles (above left) and Mattew Kirk (above right) will each serve a three year term. Matthew is currently a student in the BSRSA program online, while working at Maine Medical Center. In this capacity, he will bring expertise to the committee from the student perspective, as well as from the radiologic science administration context. Jon is the Senior Vice President of Talent Management, Diversity with Catholic Healthcare Partners (CHP). He has been in this role since 2005. He holds a doctorate degree in education and has been instrumental in implementing human resources and learning/development strategies within CHP. Jon brings his experience and expertise in developing health care leaders to the committee, as well as the Catholic health care context.

We are very pleased to have both of these two individuals working with the committee!


Thursday, August 12, 2010

3rd Annual Health Administration Symposium


The 3rd annual Health Administration Symposium held at Saint Joseph's College of Maine was a tremendous success!


44 individuals attended the symposium, with 11 presenters. The topics were relevant and engaging, and attendees participated with gusto!


Here are a few comments from attendees:


"I wish I had known about these symposia before. I will be back next year."


"I feel that members in attendance were knowledeable and feel that the questions raised by them during the sessions were relevant and insightful."


"This presenter was a masterful communicator with a great sense of humor! I really enjoyed
how he related every one of his slides to real life scenarios. He brings his topic to life by providing relevant examples that we can relate to! I thoroughly enjoyed his presentation!"


SAVE THE DATE!

Next year's symposium promises to be equally relevant and engaging!!! It will be held July 25th through 29th, 2011 on the SJC compus!

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Saint Joseph's College Has a New Educational Partner!

Saint Joseph’s College has partnered with The Avila Institute of Gerontology in Germantown, N.Y., to create a customized online program focused on leadership for the organization’s staff. The institute is connected to the Carmelite Sisters, who operate 18 long-term care facilities, and provides high quality, affordable educational programs related to the care of the elderly. Avila employees can take online courses at lowered tuition through the Saint Joseph’s undergraduate and graduate programs.

Depending on their previous education, Avila employees who complete the Leadership Certificate may transfer with advanced standing into the Saint Joseph’s Master in Health Administration program or the B.S. in Long-Term Care Administration program. The Leadership Certificate offers non-credit modules adapted from the Master in Health Administration courses. In addition, any Avila employee may also sign up for any individual course or degree program, independent of the leadership program, and still receive the partnership benefits.

Health Administration Annual Sympoisum

We're gearing up for the annual health administration symposium at Saint Joseph's College! We will be discussing issues related to how health care systems can survive (and even thrive) in the midst of health care reform and also to prepare for the future of healthcare! Presenters are experts in their field from across the United States! You may enroll for one day or all five days and earn continuing education credits! Click the title above to find more information. See you there!

Friday, April 09, 2010

Saint Joseph’s professor earns award from ACHCA

The American College of Health Care Administrators has selected John Pratt of Standish to receive the organization’s Journalism Award for demonstrating excellent journalistic achievement in the field of long-term care. Pratt is a professor of health administration at Saint Joseph’s College and the author of Long-Term Care: Managing Across the Continuum. His book is now in its third edition and has been adopted as a reference for the national licensing examination prepared by the National Association of Long-Term Care Administrator Boards. The award will be given at the ACHCA convention in Philadelphia in May.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Good Work Dr. Markowitz!

We would like to congratulate North Shore - Long Island Jewish Health System (LIJ) for being chosen as the 2010 NQF National Quality Healthcare Award winner for providing high-quality, transparent, patient-centered healthcare. The award is given annually to what the NQF regards as an exemplary healthcare organization that serves as a role model for achieving meaningful, sustainable quality improvement in healthcare.

Our very own Dr. Walter Markowitz (Adjunct Faculty at SJC) was instrumental in writing the application for this award! Great work Dr. Markowitz!

Friday, February 12, 2010

ACHCA Education Partnership: Discounts for Our Students

Saint Joseph’s College of Maine (SJC) and the American College of Health Care Administrators (ACHCA) have formed an educational partnership that makes any of our students who are ACHCA members eligible for special pricing discounts. The initial SJC application fee ($50) is waived and they receive a minimum $50 discount per course on all online and summer session courses. Course discounts go up as the number of ACHCA members taking SJC courses goes up. If you are an ACHCA member already, you qualify for these discounts. If not a member, explore the various membership categories at http://achca.org/joomla/index.php/membership. Be sure to identify yourself as a member of ACHCA when you speak with your Academic Advisor.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Article published in Advance for LTC


John Pratt (on right in the picture), Assistant Program Director, recently authored – at the request of the Editors – an article in ADVANCE for Long-Term Care Management. The article, “Convenient, efficient and effective, online training is an easy way to improve professional, technical and managerial skills” was designed to make long-term care administrators aware of the education and training options available to them through online offerings.
Although the article outlines both college and non-college options for online education and training, and he was not allowed to mention SJC by name in the article, it clearly leads potential students to programs such as ours.

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

2010 Health Administration Symposium

The past year has been marked by calls and initiatives for reform of healthcare in the United States. While the process has been challenging and in some cases acrimonious, it is inevitable that healthcare will be going through major changes in the coming years, whether or not an actual reform bill is passed. Now, more than ever, leaders in healthcare must strategically equip themselves for the challenge. This symposium brings together experts in many aspects of healthcare. In one week in Maine you will have access to much of the information you will need for future success. You will also be engaged in the search for viable solutions to some of the problems currently plaguing healthcare systems.

Join us on July 26 – 30, 2010
On the campus of Saint Joseph’s College in Standish, ME