M. H. West & Co., Inc. – Management Planning and Education Consultants

Archive for the ‘Healthcare’ Category

VisionCheck Spotlights Health Care

Friday, December 4th, 2009

Eye Chart VisionCheck is an event held quarterly by the Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce. It allows peers to network and discuss key topics and issues facing the the greater Richmond business community. On December 3rd, the VisionCheck topic was health care. Speakers at the event included: Doug Gray, Executive Director of the VA Association of Health Plans; Keith Hare, Director of Government Affairs, Medical Society of VA; and Paul Speidell, VP of Government Affairs, Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association.

M.H. West & Co., Inc.’s Health & Human Services Analyst, Erica Cage attended and came away impressed with many of the speakers. She also found it insightful that the speakers focused the dialogue on health care pertaining to Richmond in particular.

Posted in Events, Healthcare, Richmond News | No Comments »

Virginia Health Equity Conference

Monday, September 14th, 2009

M. H. West & Co., Inc. associates Meaghan West and Erica Cage attended the Virginia Health Equity Conference on September 10th and 11th. The conference was held at The Cultural Arts Center At Glen Allen and organized by the Virginia Department of Health. The event served as a valuable forum to discuss practices to strengthen communities and address the root social, political and economic causes of inequities in health in Virginia. Among the many illustrious keynote speakers were; Howard Frumkin, Director, National Center for Environmental Health and Adewale Troutman, who was featured in the award-winning PBS series documentary, Unnatural Causes: Is Inequality Making Us Sick?

Meaghan was most impressed by the extent of information and research presented by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other health institutions regarding Virginia’s lack of access to care for minority groups and low-income communities. Each speaker not only addressed the bad effects of health inquity, but also pointed out practices and policies which would strengthen communities from political, economical and even transportation perspectives. Their view of health was not limited to medical problems; it included several socio-economic factors such as stress, salary, transportation, and education as well.

Posted in Healthcare, Richmond News | No Comments »

Some Questions and Answers on Dealing with Flu

Tuesday, September 8th, 2009

College students are being told to get a “flu buddy” to bring them food if they get sick and can’t leave their dorm rooms. Pregnant women are being urged to be the first in line to get H1N1 swine-flu vaccine. Working parents are anxiously counting their remaining sick days in case they have to stay home with a sick child.

Flu is unpredictable, so it’s hard to say just how bad this fall will be with seasonal-flu and swine-flu strains circulating.

We asked experts to respond to questions we are hearing from readers. We also pulled information from federal Web sites, including transcripts of briefings, podcasts and Web meetings with clinicians, public health officials and the news media. (more…)

Posted in Healthcare | No Comments »

Governor Kaine Announces Expanded H1N1 Call Center Support

Wednesday, August 19th, 2009

Governor Kaine RICHMOND –Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced that the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is expanding its call center to handle questions that Virginians may have about the novel influenza A (H1N1) virus. The toll-free number is 1-877-275-8343 and will be answered during state business hours. The department will adjust hours as necessary to accommodate call volume. Virginians also are able to ask questions via e-mail through the VDH home page at www.vdh.virginia.gov. State Health Commissioner Karen Remley, M.D., MBA said the call center’s increased operations coincide with the opening of public schools across the state this month. (more…)

Posted in Healthcare | No Comments »

Richmond Leads Country in One Slice of Job Growth

Thursday, August 13th, 2009

Richmond Healthcare Employment in the Richmond health-care and education sectors is up 10 percent from last year. And that is the highest percentage increase in those categories in the U.S., according to an analysis of mid-year Bureau of Labor of Statistics data by Buffalo Biz Journal Business First.

Richmond added about 8,000 jobs in health care and education since last year.

Bill Mezger, chief economist for the Virginia Employment Commission, said Richmond is well positioned for growth in both industries.

“Richmond is fortunate to have institutions in both of those fields located here,” Mezger said. “Most have been here for a long time and have continued to grow with national demand for health care and education.” (more…)

Posted in Economics, Healthcare, Richmond News | No Comments »

Marilyn West Attends the 2009 National Medical Association Convention

Friday, July 31st, 2009

For the past 113 years, the National Medical Association (NMA) has conducted its Annual Convention and Scientific Assembly, the nation’s foremost conference devoted to medical science and African American health. Marilyn West, CEO of M.H. West & Co., Inc. was excited to exchange ideas with fellow experts at the convention.

The 2009 NMA Annual Convention and Scientific Assembly (held in Las Vegas from July 25th through July 29th), offered an exciting venue to interact with the largest spectrum of African American physicians, academicians and scientists in the country as well as other allied health professionals. Scientific presentations highlighted state-of the art research, new technologies, and practice management issues across twenty-five medical specialties.

Posted in Events, Healthcare, M. H. West Company News | No Comments »

OSHA Offers Tips on Working Safely in Hot Weather

Friday, July 17th, 2009

Those hot, hazy days of summer are here. The heat especially can be harmful for those who work outdoors in direct sunlight or in hot environments, making them susceptible to heat-induced illnesses such as heat stress, heat exhaustion or the more serious heat stroke.

“Working in extreme temperatures is not only uncomfortable, it can be life-threatening,” said acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Jordan Barab. “As we move into the summer months, it is important for workers and their employers to minimize the chances of heat-induced illnesses, and imperative that they recognize the signs of heat stress and take proper precautions to reduce the chances of illness or death.” (more…)

Posted in Healthcare, National News | No Comments »

Marilyn West Has Accepted a Position on the President’s Council of UNOS

Thursday, June 18th, 2009

United Network for Organ Donors M. H. West & Co., Inc.’s CEO, Marilyn West has accepted a position to serve on the President’s Council of UNOS (United Network for Organ Sharing). UNOS oversees the national database of clinical transplant information and operates the computerized organ sharing system, matching donated organs to patients registered on the national organ transplant waiting list. UNOS, through their work, save lives on a daily basis; they are headquartered in Richmond.

Marilyn is honored to have been chosen and feels that serving UNOS will be a deeply rewarding experience.

Posted in Healthcare, M. H. West Company News | No Comments »

Swine Flu Resources

Tuesday, April 28th, 2009

Swine Flu in Mexico M. H. West realizes that you are concerned with the recent swine flu events and want to stay up-to-date with accurate information. There are several links on VAPHA’s home page – VDH (including Dr. Remley’s letter to health care providers), CDC (English and Spanish swine flu sites; guidance for clinicians and public health professionals, travel alerts), Mexico’s Secretary of Health and WHO. In addition, VAPHA’s website brings in rss feeds (latest developments) on swine flu from CDC every five minutes.

Below is the swine flu section of the VAPHA’s home page – www.vapha.org ; (more…)

Posted in Healthcare, International News | No Comments »

Top 25 Women in Healthcare

Friday, April 24th, 2009

Modern Healthcare named Crystal Haynes, chief executive officer of Saint Louis University Hospital, Sister Carol Keehan, president and CEO of the Catholic Health Association, and Angela Braly, president and CEO of WellPoint, to the magazine’s national list of the “Top 25 Women in Healthcare” for 2009.

Haynes has served as CEO for Saint Louis University Hospital (SLU Hospital) since 2001. The 365-bed, urban, academic medical center is owned by Tenet Healthcare Corp., employs 1,600 people and treats more than 2,200 trauma cases a year. She also is the first woman to ever chair a regional policy board for the American Hospital Association. (more…)