2024 Austin Regional Meeting

Thursday, November 7 - DoubleTree Austin Northwest Arboretum

Free for medical group members, regional meetings are specifically designed to be interactive with an agenda crafted to facilitate networking among attendees. Time is split between succinct presentations, small group breakouts, and an open floor ("Hot Topics") where attendees can consult with the group for advice on any topic. To ensure the content is specific to individual markets, topics and speakers are identified via a planning committee of AMGA medical group members in the region.

Agenda

7:45 - 8:30 a.m.
Check-In & Breakfast

8:30 - 9:15 a.m.
Welcome & Attendee Introductions
Host: Katie Henry, JD, Chief Administrative Officer, Austin Regional Clinic

9:15 - 9:45 a.m.
Cost Reduction Strategies
Speaker: Ana Vela, Director, Acute Care Telemedicine, Austin Regional Clinic

This session will explore effective cost reduction strategies tailored for medical groups, focusing on operational efficiency and financial sustainability. Topics will include optimizing resource allocation, reducing administrative overhead, and leveraging technology to streamline processes without compromising patient care.

9:45 - 10:15 a.m.
Roundtable Discussion
During this time, attendees will have a chance to discuss their approaches to the presented topic and learn from the others at their table.

10:15 - 10:30 a.m.
Networking Break

10:30 - 11:00 a.m.
Effective Strategies for Staffing Shortages
Speaker: Robyn Hoffman, PT, MBA, Director - Physician Operations & Tracey Schwartz, EdD, MEd, Vice President - Operations, Ascension Medical Group Texas

Managing staffing challenges in medical groups requires targeted strategies for recruitment, retention, and workforce optimization. This presentation will explore innovative techniques for attracting top talent, improving staff engagement, and using technology to streamline operations. Attendees will leave with practical solutions to build strong, resilient teams that can adapt to the demands of modern healthcare.

11:00 - 11:30 a.m.
Roundtable Discussion
During this time, attendees will have a chance to discuss their approaches to the presented topic and learn from the others at their table.

11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Hot Topics
During this session, attendees will be able to raise any topics they would like to discuss with the other medical group members in the room.

12:00 - 12:50 p.m.
Networking Lunch

12:50 - 1:20 p.m.
Clinical Capacity Management
Speaker: Ryan Johnson, MBA, CPA, Chief Operating Officer & Abraham Doolhoff, MHA, FACHE, Executive Director, UT Academic Health Austin, Dell Medical School

Optimizing clinical capacity is essential for improving patient access and maximizing resource utilization in healthcare organizations. This presentation will delve into strategies for effectively managing clinical capacity, focusing on balancing patient demand with provider availability, enhancing workflow efficiency, and leveraging data to drive decision-making. Attendees will gain insights into practical approaches for improving care quality while ensuring operational agility and sustainability.

1:45 - 2:30 p.m.
Transforming the Workplace, Kelsey Seybold's Shift to Remote Workforce
Speakers: Aaron Carlson, Senior Vice President, Ambulatory Services; Martin Wortley, Senior Director, Contact Center; Ceona James, Clinical Operations Analyst, Contact Center; and Lauren Schrock

In a one-year period, Kelsey Seybold transitioned 400 employees to a work-from-home model, resulting in a majority of its workforce now operating remotely. This session will explore the challenges and successes of this transformation, including strategies for remote workforce management, maintaining productivity, and fostering team culture in a virtual environment.

2:30 p.m.
Wrap-Up & Adjournment

Program Objectives:

1. To explore innovative approaches for reducing costs while maintaining or improving the quality of care and operational efficiency.
2. To explore strategies for addressing staffing shortages through workforce optimization, technology, and improved recruitment and retention.
3. To enhance clinical capacity by optimizing resource allocation, improving patient access, and leveraging data-driven solutions for better care delivery.
4. To provide participants with an understanding of the key milestones, current applications, and future potential of AI in healthcare, while addressing its impact on patient care, operational efficiency, and ethical considerations.

Questions

For more information, please contact Kyle Kimbro at 703.838.0033 ext. 345 or kkimbro@amga.org.

Planning Committee Members

Aaron Carlson, MPA, FACHE
Senior Vice President of Operations, Kelsey-Seybold

Melissa Echols
Director of Population Health, Dallas Nephrology

Robyn Hoffman
Director of Physician Operations, Ascension Medical Group

John Lawley, MBA
Chief Operations Officer, Privia, North Texas

Michael Morrey, PhD, MA
Chief Administration Officer, Dell Medical School, University of Texas at Austin

Jeannine Ruffner, MBA
Chief Financial Officer & Chief Development Officer, HealthTexas Medical group

Tracey Schwartz, MEd, EdD
Vice President Operations, Ascension Medical Group

Ana Vela
Director of Acute Care, Austin Regional Clinic (ARC)

Hotel/Meeting Venue

DoubleTree Austin Northwest Arboretum
8901 Business Park Dr
Austin, TX 78759
(512) 343-0888

Parking: Complimentary parking on property.

After you register, you will receive a confirmation email with a link to reserve your hotel room, if interested. If you do not receive one, please email registrations@amga.org.

Room Rate: $129 per night
Hotel Deadline: Wednesday, October 16. The discounted rate and availability cannot be guaranteed after this date.

Check-in is after 4 p.m. and checkout is 11 a.m.

Continuing Medical Education (CME) Credit: AMGA is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians. AMGA designates this live educational activity for up to 4 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. Disclosures: None of the planners, faculty, and other individuals in control of content for this activity have any financial relationships with ineligible companies – whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients – over the previous 24 months. Exhibitors: AbbVie, Exact Sciences, GSK, Merck, Vatica Health

American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) Qualified Credit: By attending this AMGA program, participants may earn up to 4 American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) Qualified Education hours toward initial certification or recertification of the Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE) designation. Participants of this program who wish to have their attendance considered for ACHE Qualified Education hours should list it when they apply to the ACHE for advancement or recertification. Participants are responsible for maintaining a record of their ACHE Qualified Education hours.

Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Credit: AMGA is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. This group live activity is designated to provide continuing professional education credits in the field of “specialized knowledge”; no prerequisite requirements are necessary. By attending this program, participants may earn up to 4.8 CPE credits. In accordance with the standards of the National Registry of CPE Sponsors, CPE credits are granted based on a 50-minute hour. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. (NASBA Sponsor ID: 112939)