HANYS Conference

I’ve been attending HANYS’ very informative 47th-annual Membership Conference at The Sagamore in Bolton Landing today and yesterday. Thursday's agenda included a presentation by New York State Commissioner of Health Dr. Howard Zucker. He spoke about the need to adapt to a constantly changing health-care landscape. Dr. Zucker also stressed the need for health-care organizations to work together. He also reviewed the six areas the state is focused on to drive reform: SHIP, an all-payer database to coordinate care, DSRIP, SHINY, the Prevention Agenda and attracting doctors to New York State. I found Commissioner Zucker's presentation very informative and appreciate his committment to achieving meaningful health-care reform in New York. Later this morning, State Medicaid Director Jason Helgerson will present a progress report on the state’s multi-year Medicaid transformation including a discussion on DSRIP and other incentives to support health-care delivery reform. I want to thank HANYS for hosting this annual conference. It helps guide and inform us as we continue to support health-care transformation.

EMS Trauma Training

We held a class Tuesday on responding to chest and abdominal trauma for more than 70 EMS providers. The class was presented live at Jones Memorial Hospital and via distance learning technology at Olean General Hospital and ALSTAR Training Center in Jamestown. The class was presented by ECMC Emergency Department staff. Unfortunately we experienced some equipment difficulties that interrupted the class. We were able to complete the class and provide the needed training. I want to thank ECMC Trauma Injury Prevention and Education Coordinator Beth Moses for presenting the class and ECMC for sharing this life-saving information with Southern Tier EMS providers.