2023 Colorado Association of Healthcare Executives Annual Conference

Teal Heath RN, PMP, FACHE, Principal of Equinox HIT, recently attended the Colorado Association of Healthcare Executives (CAHE) 2023 Annual Conference on May 11th and 12th at The Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa at Beaver Creek Mountain.

The first day began with opening remarks from CAHE President, Scott Suckow, and CAHE President-Elect, Christina Slee, followed by a panel discussion on Aligning Evidence-Based Design and Evidence-Based Medicine to Design a More Efficient and Higher Quality Patient-Centered Healthcare Delivery Model. The panel included Brian Davidson, MD MBA, CPE Market Medical Executive, Cigna, and Thomas MacKenzie, MD MSPH, Chief Quality Officer, Denver Health and Hospital Authority, Professor of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine.

After a break sponsored by Independent Financial, a panel discussion was held on Successfully Leading Change in Healthcare Organizations, moderated by Breanna Wong, MBS-HA, MS, Senior Manager of Product Strategy for Microsoft + Nucance's Dragon Ambient eXperience. Panelists included Rob Vissers, MD, MBA, FACEP, President and Chief Executive Officer, Boulder Community Health, Mark Korth, MBA, MHA, President, Intermountain Health, Peaks Region, Mitch Laird, MBA Co-Founder, Marina Health, and Sean Holloway, MSA Vice President Clinical Operations, Peak Visita Community Health Center. Day one concluded with a cocktail reception sponsored by Haselden Construction and a dinner sponsored by Elevations Credit Union.

Day two opened with a networking breakfast followed by a panel on Reinventing Customer Service in Healthcare: Lessons Learned from the Best, moderated by Karla Arzola, MS, Chief Information Officer, Rocky Mountain Human Services. Panelists included Patrick Kneeland, MD, SFHM, VP of Medical Affairs at Dispatch Health, Jon Tanner, MBA, Program Director, Human Understanding, NRC Health, Katie Boemecke, MBA, RD, CPXP, System Director Patient Experience, Intermountain Health, and Amy Friedman, MA, CPXP, Chief Experience Officer, Denver Health & Hospital Authority.

After a break sponsored by Keane Insurance Group, a panel discussion was held on Building the Hospital of Tomorrow: Rehabilitate, Renovate, or Replace, moderated by Lindsley Withey, MHA, FACHE, Managing Director, BDC Advisors. Panelists included Skanda Skandaverl, MBA, FASHE, CHFM Division Director, Facilities Management, Midwest CommonSpirit Health Omaha, NB, Brenna Costello, AIA, ACHA, EDAC, Principal Health Studio Leader, SmithGroup, Pradipta Komanduri, MHA, FACHE, Chief Operating Officer, University of Colorado Hospital, and Clayton (Mitch) Mitchell, MS, Senior Vice President, Real Estate and Facilities, Thomas Jefferson University and Jefferson Health.

The day continued with a keynote speech by Karl Mecklenburg, Denver Broncos Ring of Fame, on "The Power of Versatility" Teamwork and Leadership: Make Everyday Game Day: The C's of Leadership, sponsored by Affiliated Engineers Inc. (AEI). The conference ended with closing remarks by Scott Suchkow, CAHE President. It was an informative and productive conference experience, and attendees gained valuable insights into the shifting healthcare landscape.