Mission: To serve as a platform for provocative ideas, thoughts, and solutions in the health sphere. While the focus of the blog is on encouraging the voices of women, men are welcome to share their thoughts as well.
Disruptive Women is a project conceived of and owned by Amplify Public Affairs.
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E.D.G.E.neer Your Career — a year-long program with a member-only component to prepare you to advance your career.
Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association Mid-Atlantic will be hosting an event in Gaithersburg, MD on December 1, 2011 from 6:00-8:30 PM. Keynote speaker, Dr. Martin Mackay-president of R&D at AstraZeneca/MedImmune will speaking on “Women Leaders in a Changing R&D Environment”
By Robin Strongin. Some women are not afraid to celebrate their age. Today, our nation has something, and someone, wonderful to celebrate. The Statue of Liberty, ‘Liberty Enlightening the World,’ was a gift of friendship from the people of France to the people of the United States and was dedicated on October 28, 1886. The celebration theme selected by the National Park Service (think of them as Lady Liberty’s Accountable Care Organization) to mark this auspicious anniversary is ‘Honor History, Envision the Future.’
This got me thinking about the Disruptive Women in Health Care – past and present and how their vision of the future has also enlightened our world. Here is a snapshot of my list. Who is on your list?
For her birthday, Lady Liberty is getting a high-tech uplift: Internet-connected cameras on her torch that will let viewers gaze out at New York Harbor or see visitors on the grounds below. For more information on the birthday celebration or the webcams click here.
The following ran on Forbes on October 19th. I found this to be interesting and relevant to Health in Place (HIP) which we will launch on December 6th. For more information on HIP click here.
Recently, I interviewed Kerry Kennedy, President of the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights, about the recent launch of Health eVillages. This initiative aims to bring mobile medical reference and decision support technology to clinicians fighting to save lives in underserved regions worldwide.
Kennedy is the author of The New York Times best seller “Being Catholic Now: Prominent Americans talk about Change in the Church and the Quest for Meaning,” published by Crown Books/Random House in September 2008, and “Speak Truth to Power: Human Rights Defenders Who Are Changing Our World,” (Random House, 2000). Ms. Kennedy started working in the field of human rights in 1981, when she investigated abuses committed by U.S. immigration officials against refugees from El Salvador. Since then, her life has been devoted to the pursuit of justice, to the promotion and protection of basic rights, and to the preservation of the rule of law. She established the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Human Rights in 1988. She has led over 50 human rights delegations around the globe.
Rahim Kanani: What is Health eVillages?
Kerry Kennedy: Health eVillages is an amazing new coalition of healthcare and human rights advocacy groups that’s dedicated to bringing adequate healthcare to poor, remote and underserved areas around the globe through the latest mobile device technology.
Through contributions, we secure new and refurbished mobile phone and handheld devices, load them with the latest in clinical decision support technology, and get these devices to healthcare professionals who are on the ground providing public health services where it’s most desperately needed. These devices allow them to quickly access the latest information on every disease in common medical texts, for example, to assist in diagnosing and treating patients in even in the most remote regions.
The Health eVillages consortium is made up of leading international healthcare advocacy organizations, mobile healthcare solutions providers, health information technology companies, communications providers, and public health foundations. The RFK Center is part of this contsortium because our organization has been working for four decades on the cutting-edge of social change with human rights activists around the world, and the Health eVillages initiative brings the latest technology to our efforts to ensure that the neediest people around the globe have access to adequate healthcare, a fundamental human right. (more…)
By Robin Strongin. Three years ago, in September 2008, Disruptive Women in Health Care launched with an exciting program at the National Press Club (take a look at our media page to see what we had to say at the time.)
I know, I know it’s October…but hey, we are disruptive so celebrating on the exact day seems so well, ordinary. And the past three years have been anything but ordinary. We all had something to say about the new health reform debate and ultimate passage. We still have much to say about the new law, as well as a multitude of other topics.
One area that I have been thinking a lot about is the exploding area of mhealth (mobile health), remote monitoring, and telehealth. Technology alone is not the answer of course. But technology, coupled with innovative care delivery models (think health reform), and patients, caregivers and clinicians more comfortable with smartphones, apps, data sharing and online connectivity have all contributed to a new framework of health and wellness. Aging in Place, staying connected, eICUs, PHRs and EHRs. Exciting stuff.
But, like most solutions in health care, success must look beyond the health sector. Here’s what I mean by that: staying healthy can’t just take place in a health setting or even in your home. Maintaining your health and wellness or managing your chronic disease or disability requires a connection where ever you are — in other words, Health In Place. Young people with epilepsy and diabetes still attend school, go on vacation and use public transportation. Elderly individuals aging in place still travel to visit gradnchildren. And, adults maintaining exercise and nutrition regimens who travel for work need to stay connected to maintain wellness. The Health In Place concept takes this broad view and will be bringing together thought leaders from not only the health field, but the telecom, travel, automobile and real estate sectors as well.
The organizers of the 2011 mHealth Summit were so taken with this idea that they invited Disruptive Women to launch the Health In Place or HIP initiative with a reception on December 6th–we couldn’t be more thrilled or more flattered. So SAVE THE DATE:
Tuesday, December 6, 2011, 5:00–7:00 PM
Location: Pose Ultra Lounge & Nightclub–at the Gaylord Hotel in National Harbor (Washington DC)
Overview: The concept of Health In Place™ is built around the idea that our homes are more than just homes, our offices are more than just workplaces, our schools are more than just places of learning, and even our cars are more than just modes of transportation. Thanks to wireless communications and emerging technologies, each of these venues has become potential health and wellness centers or HIP. No matter where we are or what we’re doing, we can be protecting and enhancing our well-being. For this facet of 21st century health care to achieve its full potential — for more Americans to have the tools to link to their caregivers, to protect against and manage illness, while monitoring their well-being — a number of public policy issues are involved, cutting across multiple disciplines from health care regulations and benefit structures to tax policy to technology incentives. That’s why Amplify Public Affairs and the Disruptive Women in Health Care® blog (along with our media partenr, The Hill) have formed the Health In Place™ Initiative — to bring together policymakers and change agents from multiple industries.
Please join us as we unveil this new initiative.
Speakers:
Stay tuned for more information. And by all means, please come out on December 6th and celebrate with us.
At three years of age, we are not only Disruptive, we are also HIP.
By Rozalynn Goodwin. Everyone seems to be quoting and tweeting the tender line of Miss Aibileen in “The Help”, “You is kiiiind. You is smaaaart. You is important.”
But there was another line in the blockbuster movie that moved me even more. I heard it and the heavens seemed to open. The light bulb came on.
Hilly Holbrook’s new maid is $75 short on one of the college tuitions for her twin sons and asks Hilly and her husband for a loan so she doesn’t have to choose which son should go to college. Doing the ‘Christian thing,’ Hilly refuses, “God does not give charity to those who are well and able.”
Twelve simple words from a fictional 1960’s character summed up our nation’s current political will regarding the poor. And allow me to condense this into just one word: selfishness.
We movie-goers were quick to see the bigotry in Hilly’s statement. The maid and her husband had been saving money from their meager wages for a long time and she wasn’t seeking a hand-out, but a loan she would pay off with her thankless labor. But I was also quick to see the hipocracy in those of us who identify ourselves as Christians regarding the poor–many like this maid are in temporarily tight spots by no fault of their own. I was convicted by the thought that a selfish Christian is just as much of an oxymoron as a Christian murderer. (more…)
A key part of improving quality is in reducing medical errors and improving patient safety. Providers and payers are redoubling their efforts to address such problems, ranging from hospital acquired infections and preventable injuries to avoidable complications and adverse drug reactions.
The need is clear. A recent study published in the journal Health Affairs found that, on average, one third of hospital inpatients suffer an adverse event or medical error. That is nearly 10 times greater than shown by previous studies. As for Medicare, about 1 in 7 beneficiaries experience adverse events, costing the government some $4.4 billion each year.
Join Philips on July 28th, when their latest “Reimbursement Simplified” webinar explores some of the new approaches to improve patient safety including:
Speakers:
To Register: Go to www.philips.com/reimbursement or call 202-263-2900. There is no fee to participate.
By Hope Ditto. Most of the country is sweltering its way through this week’s heat wave, but there is one thing here in DC rising faster than the mercury in our thermometers – tensions on the Hill as the debt ceiling stalemate continues. Whispers [well, tweeted whispers] of default “what ifs” abound here in the nation’s capital as lawmakers continue to play a high-stakes game of chicken through day after day of floor debates, committee hearings and negotiating sessions. With interest rates, Social Security payments and America’s credit score dangling in the balance, and the clock ticking towards the Aug. 2 deadline, the air is even thicker with panic than it is with humidity (though my frizzy hair would say otherwise). (more…)
mHealth Summit to Highlight Groundbreaking Research Abstracts and Innovative Presentations
TOPIC AREAS:
The submission deadline is this Friday, July 8th. Click here to submit an abstract or presentation. For more information on the 2011 mHealth Summit click here.
Amplify Public Affairs is proud to be a media partner for the 2011 mHealth Summit – please consider participating in this event.
National Hispanic Medical Association Invites you to
National Hispanic Medical Association Regional Discussion
“Health Care Reform Implementation”
Speaker:
Mayra Alvarez, MPH*
Director, Public Health Policy, Office of Health Care Reform
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Thursday, June 30th, 2011
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Clyde’s of Gallery Place
707 7th St. NW
Washington, DC
R.S.V.P. to RSVP1@nhmamd.org by June 27th
In partnership with the DC Medical Society, Latino Medical Student Association, and NHMA Council of Residents and sponsored by AMGEN
Founded in Washington, DC in 1994, The National Hispanic Medical Association (NHMA) is a nonprofit association representing Hispanic physicians in the U.S. NHMA’s mission to empower Hispanic physicians to improve the health of Hispanic populations with Hispanic medical societies, resident and medical student organizations and our public and private partners.
*Invited
Don’t miss out on this year’s Ovarian Cancer National Alliance Annual Conference in Washington, DC, July 9-12! They have an incredible array of speakers and activities planned for their 14th Annual Conference, “Turning Promise Into Action.”
The keynote speaker is Olympic medalist Shannon Miller, who will speak about her battle with ovarian cancer. Ms. Miller was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in early 2011, and has been writing about her journey on her healthy living website.
On Sunday night, you can rock out with N.E.D., an amazing band dedicated to fighting women’s cancer. This alternative rock band is made up of gynecologic oncologists from around the country. You can hear one of their original songs in this video about OCNA’s 2010 Advocacy Day.
The conference concludes with advocacy visits to Capitol Hill. OCNA will arrange for you to speak with your legislators and their staff about why ovarian cancer matters to you. Please note that you must register separately for Advocacy Day; the registration deadline is June 3.
One of the most poignant moments at each conference is the Remembrance Ceremony commemorating the lives of women lost to ovarian cancer. You can submit original poetry and other remembrances to be included in the ceremony.
Register here. If you have any questions contact Elizabeth White at ewhite@ovariancancer.org or (202) 331-1332.
By Robin Strongin. It wasn’t all that long ago that I discovered a real treasure in Washington DC–the Kreeger Museum. It is a magnificent, yet intimate museum housing a stunning art collection. It offers concerts, lectures, community events and so much more. In December, we held the Disruptive Women in Health Care annual reception at the museum – a program that highlighted the power of art and music and its relationship to health and wellness.
I am writing to let everyone know about an upcoming Kreeger event—it is a program to benefit Alzheimer’s patients and their caregivers and families. We’ll hear about it at the event Tuesday, March 15 at the jewel of a museum, over champagne cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. See below for more details.
Hope to see you there.
About Conversations at The Kreeger Museum
The Kreeger Museum is proud to announce the launch of an exciting new art and music program for individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and other dementia related illnesses and their caregivers. (more…)
By Hope Ditto. It has been almost a year since Congress passed the Affordable Care Act (ACA), but it seems that the questions and concerns surrounding it and its implementation are increasing rather than decreasing with time. From its legality to its funding, threats of repeal to promises to replace, buzz about the ACA from Wall Street to Main Street and up and down Pennsylvania Avenue has reached a fever pitch since the 112th Congress convened last month.
We have accepted that things are currently in limbo with regards to health care reform and the provisions born from the ACA, but that does not mean that those in the health care industry can call a recess until Congress can come to some sort of consensus/final decision on health care reform.
Instead, it is up to health care industry to sort through the facts from the rumors, clarify the ambiguities and quantify the results – all while knowing full well any question they just answer or problem they just solved could be reversed, revised or removed altogether overnight.
Considering all of the challenges and uncertainties facing the health care sector, it seems that Academy Health’s annual National Health Policy Conference (NHPC), this year themed “Putting Health Care Reform to Work” came at just the right time. The conference, held the past two days in downtown Washington, brought together experts from all areas of the health care industry – academics, insurance executives, physicians and other stakeholders – to discuss the impacts of the ACA, how to implement them and what to expect from future provisions (both the ones currently slated to be implemented and those being discussed under “repeal and replace”).
Highlights of the conference included plenary sessions with leaders and policymakers on the Hill and at a number of health agencies and organizations, breakout sessions on topics ranging from innovation in health care to the impact of ACA on various populations (i.e. Medicaid and CHIP, employers, etc.) and everything in between. There were also meaningful panel discussions on health care reform, the future of the industry and how various stakeholders are approaching policy in the interim. More than anything, though, the conference brought together people from all over the health care industry and initiated a dialogue about how disparate entities are approaching the many curve balls presented to them in the wake of ACA’s passing.
While nobody – not even a combined entity encompassing over 700 leaders in the health care industry – knows what lies ahead for health care reform and the Affordable Care Act, gatherings like NHPC offer unique insight as to how those making the tough decisions are approaching this developing situation, and preparing for whatever results from it. While there are disagreements and discrepancies, debates and deliberations, it is heartening to see firsthand that the tough questions are being asked and the “what if” scenarios are being considered by those with possibly the greatest ability to directly impact our lives – those providing us care (either directly or by funding it).
Check the NPHC website soon for links to webcasts of selected plenary sessions, which will be posted as they become available.
On December 1st Disruptive Women held its annual holiday party at The Kreeger Museum. This year the program was entitled Music and Art Therapy: A Demonstration of Healing. 
There was also a special musical performance by Washington DC’s Art and Drama Therapy Institute’s Inspirational Choir and Moroccan Ensemble. Attendees also enjoyed a cake designed especially for this event by Chef Duff, star of The Food Network’s Ace of Cakes.
If you were unable to join us we’ve got you covered; links to view video from the event are below.
You probably don’t need anything else to be thankful for, but just in case what you have been so patiently for is finally here – the last two video installments of our “Health Reform After the 2010 Election: Assessing the Viability of Health Insurance in the Aftermath of the Mid-Term Elections” event. That’s right… as a special holiday treat, we have not one but TWO segments for you today – chock full of information and analysis about what the midterm elections could mean for health care reform and, more importantly, how these changes could affect YOUR life, YOUR insurance and YOUR health care.
So grab some popcorn (or one more little slice of pumpkin pie), cuddle up by the fire with your laptop and click away at the links below!
In the States: The Future of Health Insurance
In the Trenches: Who Will Buy What From Whom
For those of you who missed our previous post about our Health Reform After the 2010 Election event, you can read it and watch the first video segment here.
Happy Thanksgiving from all of us Disruptive Women!
Karen Daley, the newly elected president of the American Nurses Association (ANA), knows firsthand the dangers of the nursing profession – especially the prevalence of needlestick injuries. Daley was herself a needlestick victim – an injury that resulted in her contracting multiple bloodborne infections. As a result, Daley has become one of the most vocal advocates for sharps safety.
Ten years ago, Daley had the honor of watching President Clinton sign the Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act(NSPA), a landmark step for needlestick safety advocates. But, as Daley stated, NSPA is not enough to make the workplace a safe place.
That is why she, along with ANA CEO Marla Weston, announced last week that ANA would be relaunching their Safe Needles Save Lives campaign. This announcement came during a panel briefing and discussion, “10 Years After the Law, How Safe are We from Sharps?” (watch the full webcast here) sponsored by ANA and held at the National Press Club on November 4th. The briefing brought together experts on the needlestick issue from different professions and perspectives. As part of the 10 year anniversary celebration, needlestick safety experts discussed not only the improvements that NSPA brought to the field but also its shortfalls and where there is still room for improvement. All the speakers agreed on one thing – NSPA was a step in the right direction, but there is still a lot to do.
As Daley explained in her remarks at the briefing, “My injury was preventable. My injury resulted in infection. My infection is a rare event. What isn’t a rare event is my injury.” But if Daley and ANA have anything to say about it, in 10 more years, it will be.
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