MEDIA RELEASE

The Hawaii County 2010 Healthcare Conference, “Building a Healthier Future Together,” a community collaboration for health and healthcare on our island is Friday, Aug. 13 at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort.

During the day-long gathering we will focus on creation of innovative, collaborative solutions to Hawaii Island’s most pressing healthcare challenges – access to care and an acute shortage of healthcare providers.

We’ll also hear from industry leaders on the local impacts of national healthcare reform and learn how native Alaskans integrated culture into their healthcare delivery system to achieve better health outcomes.

Several hundred attendees are expected, representing the healthcare community and the community at large. Attendance at the conference is free thanks to the sponsorship of Hawaii Island’s community hospitals, health plans and Hawaii County. Media attendance is welcomed.

Here’s the agenda:

9 a.m. Blessing

9:05 a.m. Welcome Message by Mayor Billy Kenoi

9:15 – 9:45 a.m. Healthcare Reform: The New Paradigm, Robert P. Hiam, HMSA and Joan Danieley, Kaiser Foundation Health Plan

9:45 – 10 a.m. Hawaii Island: A Beacon Community by Karen Pellegrin

10 – 10:45 a.m. Panel Discussion – Size and Scope of our Challenge

10:45 – 11 a.m. BREAK

11 a.m. – Noon Keynote Presentation: How Alaska Improved Access, Satisfaction, Patient Health & Reduced Costs, by Katherine Gottlieb

Noon – 1 a.m. LUNCH

1 – 1:45 a.m. Panel Discussion – Leveraging Our Assets

2 – 3 p.m. Collaborative Sessions

3 – 3:15 p.m. BREAK

3:15 – 4:15 p.m. Collaborative Sessions

4:30 – 5 p.m. Introduction to the Next Generation of Providers with Roy Magnusson, MD of JABSOM, Ric Custodio MD, DO Program and Eileen Lovell of the UHH School of Nursing

5 – 5:15 p.m. Mahalo Message by Mayor Billy Kenoi

5:15 p.m. Networking Reception