On March 31 - April 1, 2010, Healthcare Georgia Foundation grantees, partners and community leader's gathered at the Foundation's fourth statewide convening, Connections 2010: Leadership in Difficult Economic Times: Connecting Resources and People. The two-day event was a unique opportunity for members of the nonprofit community to network, exchange ideas, build technical skills, and strengthen their ability to fulfill their missions. The event commenced with a special Welcome Reception and Ceremony honoring the 2010 Individual and Collaborative recipients of the Joseph D. Greene Community Service Award.

For more information about the conference, please click on the links below:

• Welcome Reception and 2010 Joseph D. Greene Community Service Award Ceremony
• Individual Award Recipients
• Collaborative Award Recipients


• Connections 2010 - Program
• Featured Speaker - Ron Pollock
• Performance - Sarah Jones
• Conference Program
• Morning Sessions
• Lunch Program
• Afternoon Workshops
• Closing Session

 

March 31, 2010

Welcome Reception and 2010 Joseph D. Greene Community Service Award Ceremony
On the evening of March 31, 2010, Healthcare Georgia Foundation presented the Joseph D. Greene Community Service Award to the following individuals and collaborative efforts in recognition of their dedication and commitment to improving health and health care across Georgia.

Individual Recipients

Greg Block
Volunteer Organization: First Step

Greg Block is the founder of First Step, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to significantly reduce homelessness by helping individuals find paths to self-sufficiency. His efforts have resulted in the building of a committed and involved board of directors, engaged people to employ homeless individuals willing and able to work, and energized a network of business professionals, entrepreneurs and nonprofit leaders to advocate for the homeless. As a result of his hard work and dedication, Greg has helped develop a replicable enterprise that will not only help alleviate the burden of homelessness on the health care system and community, but also gives hope to those who often need it most.

Eleanor (Lee) Frances Brown, RN CNP
Volunteer Organization: American Cancer Society

Lee Frances Brown has spent her entire career and volunteer work since her retirement lifting others up. Some of Lee's volunteer efforts focus on breast cancer awareness, including early detection, prevention, and education. She takes the extra step of referring patients to appropriate specialists and health providers. As a registered nurse and nurse practitioner, Lee stays current on recommended health and treatment practices and is a consistent, caring resource to uninsured and underinsured individuals diagnosed with breast cancer. An active fundraiser, especially in the area of cancer, Lee helps ensure that the local community has partnerships in place to obtain grant funds for free mammograms for low income and uninsured women. Her energy, commitment and unselfish involvement motivates and inspires others to strengthen the health of their own communities.

 

Bill Cohen
Volunteer Organization: Center for the Visually Impaired (CVI)

When Bill Cohen came to the Center for the Visually Impaired's Low Vision Clinic as a patient in 1999, he was so impressed by the service he received that he asked what he could do to help. The Center quickly recognized his ability to connect with people and took him up on his offer. Each Tuesday and Thursday, Bill welcomes clients who come to the Low Vision Clinic. His involvement and passion for helping others doesn't stop there. As an active member of the CVI Board of Trustees, Bill serves as vice chair of the Board, member of the Advocacy Committee, and is the former chair of the Strategic Planning Committee. Through his volunteer with the clinic and the hundreds of speaking opportunities he accepts each year, thousands of people are inspired by his message and are introduced to the services of CVI or other vision resources.

 

Susan Greene, RN, MSN, GNP
Volunteer Organization: Healthy Feet of Fannin County, Inc.

Susan Greene is a geriatric nurse practitioner and graduate of Emory University who has dedicated herself to helping provide Georgia's aging, poor, and uninsured residents with access to quality, affordable health care. For thirteen years, Susan has provided Fannin County residents with a free monthly foot clinic called Healthy Feet at the Georgia Senior Center and Polk County Senior Center. While targeting the elderly and those with limited ability, anyone can take advantage of this program. Susan tirelessly offers compassionate, knowledgeable advice to anyone she sees, and her Healthy Feet program has helped detect and treat previously undisclosed diseases and conditions.

Alana Shepherd
Volunteer Organization: Shepherd Center

In 1975, Alana, her husband Harold, and her son James co-founded Shepherd Center, after their family learned about the lack of high-quality specialized rehabilitation care in the Southeast through personal experience. The world-renowned 132-bed hospital specializes in providing medical care, rehabilitation services and research for spinal cord injury, acquired brain injury, multiple sclerosis, chronic pain and other neurological conditions. Alana is the Center's chief fundraiser and volunteer. She is active at Shepherd Center almost every weekday, leading tours for potential donors and visiting patients and their families to encourage them through the rehabilitation process. Her tireless advocacy for accessibility and her ability to galvanize support on the local, regional, and national levels has left an indelible mark on the community.

Collaborative Recipients

Chatham County Safety Net Planning Council
The Chatham County Safety Net Planning Council (CCSNPC) was created in 2004 to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the local health care delivery system and to assist the Chatham County Commissioners in better meeting the health care needs of uninsured and underinsured constituents. The goals of the Council are to strengthen the county's health care infrastructure, build capacity within the community, improve access to health care for the uninsured and underinsured, and improve health outcomes. As a result of its efforts, the CCSNPC has had a significant impact on its community. The Planning Council has improved health outcomes and chronic disease management, leveraged health information technology, and addressed specialty needs. It has also been able to increase the capacity of uninsured and underinsured patients seen in partner clinics and secured funding to help ensure its sustainability.

Morehouse School of Medicine Prevention Research Center
Established in 1998, the Morehouse School of Medicine Prevention Research Center Partnership's (PRC) mission is to advance scientific knowledge in the field of prevention in African American and other minority communities and to disseminate new information and strategies of prevention. The partnership serves a predominantly low-income area of Atlanta. Its members are represented on the Community Coalition Board that governs the PRC, and includes academic, agency, and neighborhood partners. Through its community-based approach, the PRC conducts interdisciplinary research focused on prevention, trains minority researchers and practitioners, and demonstrates the value of coalitions conducting research. The PRC has impacted the community by improving health, community development, and building momentum for future success.

Community Service Award Nomination and Selection Committee
Healthcare Georgia Foundation would like to thank those individuals that gave their time and expertise to assist us in selecting the 2010 Joseph D. Greene Community Service Award recipients.

Mindy Binderman, JD, Voices for Georgia's Children
Pattie Johnson, Foundation Center-Atlanta
Donna Looper, Georgia Free Clinic Network
Lisa Mathis, MSN, RN, FNP-C, Kingdom Care, Inc.
Lucy Marion, PhD, Medical College of Georgia, School of Nursing
Russ Toal, MPH, Georgia Southern University, Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health

 

April 1, 2010

Welcome and Introduction of Speakers Gary Nelson, PhD, President, Healthcare Georgia Foundation

Implications of Health Reform in Georgia Ron Pollack, Founding Executive Director of Families USA About Ron Pollack Ron Pollack is the Founding Executive Director of Families USA, the national organization for health care consumers. Families USA's mission is to achieve high-quality, affordable health coverage for everyone in the United States. Families USA's numerous reports and analyses on such matters as health coverage for the uninsured and underinsured, Medicaid, Medicare, prescription drug issues, long-term care, and others are frequently cited at Congressional hearings, in state legislatures, by the media, and by consumer organizations that Families USA works with all across the country. Mr. Pollack's work has been recognized through various honors. The Hill, a publication serving members of Congress and their staffs, named Mr. Pollack one of the nine top nonprofit lobbyists. Modern Healthcare named Mr. Pollack one of the 100 Most Powerful People in Health Care. National Journal named him one of the top 25 players in Congress, the Administration, and the lobbying community on Medicare prescription drug benefits. Connections 2010 featured Mr. Pollack's expertise and insight on the recent health care reform and it's potential impact on the delivery of health care in Georgia.

Performance: Sarah Jones - A Right to Care Written and performed by Tony Award-winning playwright and actress Sarah Jones, A Right to Care illuminated a variety of issues ranging from chronic disease to cultural barriers to care; immigrant health concerns; and the impact of economic obstacles on the health of Americans. About Sarah Jones Sarah Jones is a Tony Award® winning playwright and performer. Her multi-character solo show Bridge & Tunnel was originally produced Off-Broadway by Oscar-winner Meryl Streep, and went on to become a critically acclaimed, long running hit on Broadway. A regular uncensored guest on public radio programs such as Fresh Air and Studio 360 with Kurt Andersen, Sarah has made numerous TV appearances on programs including Charlie Rose, The Today Show, CBS Sunday Morning, Live with Regis and Kelly, Now on PBS, and on Sesame Street as 'Ms. Noodle' on Elmo’s World. Most recently, Sarah was invited by First Lady Michelle Obama to perform at The White House in celebration of Women’s History Month. She is currently at work on a commission for Lincoln Center Theater and is developing a television project based on her characters.   A Right to Care is a one-woman performance piece commissioned by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to highlight the ethnic and racial health disparities in our society. Written Ms. Jones, it illuminates a variety of issues ranging from chronic disease to cultural barriers to care; from immigrant health concerns to the impact of economic obstacles on the health of Americans of every background. Ms. Jones performed a poignant, insightful portrayal of the struggles faced by so many and seen by so few.

Conference Sessions

Morning Session I

Cultural Competence: Communicating Effectively to Improve Health Care for Georgia's Diverse Populations
As the population in Georgia continues to become more diverse, it has become imperative to ensure that consumers are receiving the best health care. In addition, we must understand the impact of cultural incompetence on a community. This session addressed cultural competency in the delivery and service of health care; the challenges health care providers face with an increasingly diverse population; and the impact of diversity on health outcomes and the quality of health care.

Session Organizer:	Lisa Medellin, MSW, Healthcare Georgia Foundation
Facilitator:	Eleanor Hooks, PhD, The Smart Change Group
Panelists:	Marianne Chung, MPH, CHES, The Center for Pan Asian Community Services, Inc. Yolanda Hallas, MSEd, Hispanic Health Coalition of Georgia, Inc. Carolyn Polakowski, Fragile Kids Foundation Thalia Rodriguez, MBA, Feminist Women's Health Center

Georgia's Health Safety Nets: Their Unparalleled Services and Their Unique Challenges
Where do people turn when they need health care services and have limited resources? Unfortunately, people resort to emergency room visits or simply allow their health needs to go unmet. Safety net providers offer health care services to the uninsured and underserved. This session explored the services provided by safety net providers throughout Georgia, the economic impact they have on the state, and the unique challenges these providers face.

Session Organizer:	Andrea Young Kellum, MPH, Healthcare Georgia Foundation
Facilitator:	Ecleamus Ricks, MPH, Board of Director, Healthcare Georgia Foundation
Panelists:	Kathie A. Aduddell, EdD, MSN, BSN, Kennesaw State University/KSU Community Clinic at MUST Ministries Aretha Jones, MPH, MA, J.C. Lewis Primary Healthcare Center of Union Mission, Inc. Liz Longshore, MedBank Foundation Lisa Mathis, MSN, RN, FNP-C, Kingdom Care

Partnering to Improve the Quality of Health Care Services
Efforts to address healthcare quality have the unintended benefits of expanding access and controlling costs. Several quality improvement initiatives are underway in Georgia with important implications for the structure and delivery of health services. Learn how child health quality is being addressed by a collaboration of nonprofits addressing pediatric asthma and immunizations. In addition, the Georgia Hospital Association and its affiliates have been at the forefront of hospital-based efforts to improve quality outcomes for Georgians. This session featured a panel of leaders who will explore the opportunities to improve health and healthcare for all Georgians.

Session Organizer:	Gary Nelson, PhD, President, Healthcare Georgia Foundation
Facilitator:	Dewey Hickman, MBA, Board of Director, Healthcare Georgia Foundation
Panelists:	Vi Naylor, Georgia Hospital Association Rick Ward, CAE, American Academy of Pediatrics Georgia Chapter Joann M. Yoon, JD, Voices for Georgia's Children

Community Collaborations: Working Together to Make a Difference in Health Care
Collaborative efforts among nonprofit organizations, government agencies, individuals and communities often provide more positive results and financially efficient solutions than single organizations or individuals. Panelists in this session discussed different collaborative efforts generating positive results; factors that lead to effective health collaborations; advantages, successes, challenges and disadvantages of collaboration; and ways to identify effective and committed leaders in the community who can bring independent groups together.

Session Organizer:	Symone McClain, MBA, Healthcare Georgia Foundation
Facilitator:	Nancy Kennedy, Northwest Georgia Healthcare Partnership
Panelists:	Dan Blumenthal, MD, MPH, Morehouse School of Medicine, Prevention Research Center Partnership Patricia Kota, RN, MSPL, Coastal Medical Access Project (CMAP) Kim Smith, RN, Health Access Initiative Diane Weems, MD, Chatham County Health Department, Chatham County Safety Net Planing Council

Morning Session II

The Impact of Health Literacy on Consumers' Choices and Health Outcomes

Consumers are faced with vast amounts of information and treatment options when making decisions about their health and health care. Helping consumers understand the information they receive from health care professionals is paramount. This session examined the impact that literacy levels have on health outcomes, the lessons of health literacy learned by health experts and practitioners, and the economic impact of low health literacy.

 

 

Session Organizer:	Lisa Medellin, MSW, Healthcare Georgia Foundation
Facilitator:	Andrea Hinojosa, Board of Director, Healthcare Georgia Foundation
Panelists:	Elvan Daniels, MD, Morehouse School of Medicine, National Center for Primary Care Mike Gault, American Diabetes Association Atlanta/North Georgia

The Financial and Social Economics of Health Care in Georgia
Nonprofit organizations need to understand as much as they can about how to make sound financial decisions that impact their organization's sustainability. This session explored how grantees should measure the economic, social and relationship value of their investments, and how to better use the return on investment approach to analyze their current and future fundraising strategies.

Session Organizer:	Lisa Medellin, MSW, Healthcare Georgia Foundation
Introduction:	Michael Sweeney, III, Healthcare Georgia Foundation
Facilitator:	Greg Dent, Community Health Works
Panelists:	Cheryl Christian, RN, Good News Clinic, Gainesville Phaedra S. Corso, PhD, MPA, University of Georgia College of Public Health

2010: A New Decade and New Challenges for Health Care
2010 is poised to be a challenging year for health care, as Georgia faces staggering unemployment, more uninsured adults and children, and fewer dollars being spent on health and human services. In this session, panelists discussed the most pressing health care issues from a public health, rural health and safety net perspective, as well as challenges that associations may face in the areas of finance, health care, crisis management and more.

Session Organizer:	Andrea Young Kellum, MPH, Healthcare Georgia Foundation
Facilitator:	Ted Holloway, MD, Board of Director, Healthcare Georgia Foundation
Panelists:	Alpha Fowler Bryan, MD, Georgia Public Health Association/Clayton County Board of Health Katherine Cummings, Georgia Rural Health Association Donna Looper, Georgia Free Clinic Network Duane A. Kavka, Georgia Association for Primary Health Care

Organizational Capacity Building Assessments: Are Nonprofits Working at Maximum Potential?

In today's economic environment nonprofit organizations need to ensure that they are operating at peak performance. This session explored the need for health nonprofits to conduct organizational assessments in regard to capacity building, and how they can use these assessments to ensure they are maximizing their work. Participants also heard the lessons learned from nonprofit organizations that completed an assessment and used the results.

View the PowerPoint presentation (PDF)

 

 

 

Session Organizer:	Gary Nelson, PhD, President, Healthcare Georgia Foundation
Introduction:	Lynn Thogersen, MHA, Board of Director, Healthcare Georgia Foundation
Facilitator:	Neil Sklarew, Georgia Center for Nonprofits
Panelists:	Debbie Brilling, Auditory-Verbal Center Christina Lennon, Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation

Lunch Program

Anniversary Program and Listening Tour Discussion
Gary Nelson, PhD, President, Healthcare Georgia Foundation

 

Voices of the Community: 2010 Listening Tour
Through a series of summits across the state, the Foundation sought the perspective from community representatives on the issues of health and wellness in its continued effort to advance the health of all Georgians. Insights from the Listening Tour were presented along with participant's perspectives and the key health issues identified in their communities.

View the 2010 Listening Tour (PDF)

 

Session Organizer:	Symone McClain, MBA, Healthcare Georgia Foundation
Facilitator:	Kristina Heuman, Porter Novelli
Panelists:	L. Monique Hillman, RN, MPH, Area Agency on Aging, a division of the CSRA Regional Commission Ben Robinson, MPA, University of Georgia, Center for Health Workforce Planning and Analysis

Afternoon Workshops

Lobbying and Advocacy: Effective Strategies for Nonprofit Health Organizations

The legal implications behind lobbying and advocating for a cause can be confusing, even for the most seasoned nonprofit and foundation professionals. In this workshop, health care advocates simplified the guidelines and legal implications of lobbying; how to develop and implement lobbying strategies; and the resources needed to support effective advocacy efforts.

View the Community Catalyst PPT (PDF)

View the G-CAPP PPT (PDF)

 

Session Organizer:	Lisa Medellin, MSW, Healthcare Georgia Foundation
Facilitator:	Beth Schapiro, PhD, The Schapiro Group
Presenters:	Dara S. Antrum, MPH, Community Catalyst Michelle H. Ozumba, Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention

Getting to Outcomes: Understanding Evaluation Capacity and Assessing Needs

In this workshop, participants learned how to assess individual and organizational evaluation capacity in order to: improve planning and programs; measure progress and success; report results to key audiences; and communicate needs and achievements to funders.

 

 

 

 

Session Organizer:	Gary Nelson, PhD, President, Healthcare Georgia Foundation
Presenters:	Madeleine Frey, MPH, Center for Community Health and Evaluation Clarissa Hsu, PhD, Center for Community Health and Evaluation

The Power of Leadership: Exploring the Essentials of a Strong Nonprofit Board

Board and staff relationships are essential to the success of nonprofit organizations. Board governance requirements have evolved over the years with more emphasis on leadership, strategy, fundraising and policy. This workshop examined the roles and responsibilities of nonprofit board members, effective board governance, and ways to enhance the board and staff working relationships.

View the PPT presentation (PDF)

 

 

 

Session Organizer:	Symone McClain, MBA, Healthcare Georgia Foundation
Presenter:	Terri Theisen, Theisen Consulting, LLC

Understanding the Grant Management Process

Applying for a grant can be a daunting process. In this workshop, Healthcare Georgia Foundation guided participants through the application process to the execution of a grant award. Participants reviewed reporting and financial requirements; learned how to communicate with Foundation staff; publicizing a grant; and how to document the results of a project.

View the PPT presentation (PDF)

 

 

 

Moderator/Presenter:	Symone McClain, MBA, Director of Grants Management, Healthcare Georgia Foundation
Presenters:	Lisa Medellin, MSW, Program Officer, Healthcare Georgia Foundation Andrea Young Kellum, MPH, Program Officer, Healthcare Georgia Foundation Michael Sweeney, Director of Finance, Healthcare Georgia Foundation

Closing Session

Advancing Health Policy: What's Next for Georgia?

Efforts to establish effective health policies have been a cornerstone of Healthcare Georgia Foundation's strategic grantmaking. During the past nine years, the Foundation has awarded grants to improve nonpartisan policy research and analysis, inform the allocation of public resources, educate consumers, providers, and policymakers, and strengthen the advocacy capacity of nonprofit health organizations. Most importantly, the Foundation has been able to contribute to the establishment of policy organizations whose leadership has been vital to improving health and healthcare for all Georgians. The Connections 2010 closing session featured the priorities, strategies, and vision of our state's leading health policy organizations and their focus on the cusp of health reform.

 

Introduction:	Francis Tedesco, MD, Chair, Board of Directors, Healthcare Georgia Foundation
Moderator:	Gary Nelson, PhD, President, Healthcare Georgia Foundation
Panelists:	Alan Essig, MPA, Georgia Budget and Policy Institute Robert Stolarick, DDS, Georgia Public Health Association Pat Willis, Voices for Georgia's Children Cindy Zeldin, MA, Georgians for a Healthy Future