How can we use the realization of disparities in health equity and recent advancements to improve patient outcomes within the health system? COVID-19 helped us realize that if we do not address upstream health issues, negative health consequences are inevitable when crises arise. We now must face the challenge of understanding our patients’ environments and the variables in social determinants of health that are applicable to their unique situations. In becoming solution oriented, we can yield improved patient outcomes that are replicable across all organizations. This approach consists of the integrated model that connects the health system to the community and the social support structures of the patient. How can we use these in concert to improve the picture of health and move to eliminate the impact of health equity challenges? We will then have a conversation with select health systems regarding how they have made adjustments in their health equity strategy to the benefit of their organizations.

Stephanie Copeland, M.D., M.B.A., CPHQ, CPXP, Regional Medical Director, Quality & Risk Adjustment, WellMed Medical Management, Inc.

Ryane Jackson, M.L.A, Vice President of Community Benefits, Houston Methodist

Leon Jerrels, M.H.A., M.B.A., R.N., CPHQ, Director, Quality Improvement, Kelsey-Seybold Clinic

Moderated by: Courtney L. Walker, Pharm.D., R.Ph., Health Outcomes Director, MM Health Equity, Novo Nordisk, Inc.

With various tools available today, hospital and health system leaders are determining the best approach to close care gaps and grow their revenue. What are the key action items needed to manage communication between patients and their providers? How can at-risk populations be identified and scaled, allowing staff to focus on providing care? How can revenue be recovered? Join us to learn how Iowa Clinic achieved lower costs while increasing patient quality outcomes through automated patient engagement solutions.

Barbara Hodne, D.O., Chief Quality Officer and Family Practice Physician, The Iowa Clinic

Anna Moore, Phytel Product Manager, Merative

The impact of COVID-19 on health care delivery has heightened the need to apply innovative approaches supported by technology to help evolve, identify, and manage patients at high risk for severe outcomes. This challenge has intensified with the continuing evolution of what we know about COVID-19 as many patients with high-risk chronic conditions and a positive COVID-19 test may defer care and delay follow up which can lead to negative patient outcomes. Two health systems will provide insights into appropriate treatment and clinical workflow for patients with COVID-19.

Katherine Kreutziger Baumgarten, M.D., FACP, FIDSA, CIC, Medical Director, Infection Control; Medical Director, Employee Health; and Staff Member, Infectious Diseases Department, Ochsner Health

Amy DePuy, M.D., M.B.A, FACOG, Interim Chief Health Information Officer; In-patient Chief Medical Information Officer; Maternity Care Pathway, Ambulatory Lead, Lehigh Valley Health Network 

Jarrod William Kile, R.Ph., BCPS, Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Infectious Diseases; Antimicrobial Stewardship Program, Lehigh Valley Health Network

Moderated by: Philip M. Oravetz, M.D., M.P.H, M.B.A, Chief Population Health Officer, Ochsner Health

Specialty care accounts for the majority of medical group revenue, yet only 14% of all health systems have implemented online scheduling for their specialty services due to a host of practical yet addressable barriers. Leaders have an opportunity to create a patient referral management and self-scheduling experience which enables access, avoids wasting valuable capacity, and ensures specialists are confident that the right patients will fill their calendar. This discussion will describe the clinical AI chat and intelligent routing technologies needed to offer your patient-consumers trusted guidance and self-service access to your high-value specialty resources, making health care easier and safer—and driving retention and market share. 

Adeel Malik, CEO and Co-Founder, Clearstep

Laurel B. Ris, Executive Director, Experience Innovation, Duly Health and Care