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| August 18, 2005 | |
Dear Reader, Happy Birthday to . . . us! Yes, the HPN is 10 years old, and better than ever. In this issue, we look back to our first meeting, in Norfolk, VA, in 1995, and look ahead to the dynamic future of HPN by providing an update on the Network's strategic plan. In fact, what you're reading now is part of that plan. To help communicate more effectively with the more than 350 individuals on our participants list, we have developed this E-News service, which will appear in your e-mail inbox quarterly (July, October, January, and April). Please let us know what you think! Send feedback to fred.lenhoff@ama-assn.org. One respondent, selected at random, will receive a copy of the AMA's Health Professions Career and Education Directory. And please feel free to forward this on to others who may be interested in keeping up-to-date with the HPN and its work in unifying-and strengthening-the allied health professions.
HPN Coordinating Team Contents
1. Happy 10th anniversary to the Health Professions Network The initial meeting to form the Health Professions Network (HPN) was held in August 1995 in Norfolk, VA, when six inspired leaders saw a need for health professions to begin collaborating. Attendees discussed a report from the National Commission on Allied Health and the recommendations from six recent national conferences on allied health. They also heard presentations on interdisciplinary education and the impact of technology upon health care education and practice. Ten years later, the HPN continues to be a leading voice on behalf of all allied health professions as they come together and address the many challenges facing the US health care system. To learn more, see: http://www.healthpronet.org 2. We've come a long way, baby! A history of the HPN To chronicle the truly astonishing work the HPN has accomplished, the HPN Coordinating Team has developed "The HPN History: A Decade of Accomplishments." Starting with the initial meeting in 1995, and continuing through the 2005 strategic planning blueprint for the future, this document describes the successes, struggles, and environmental change surrounding the organization for the past 10 years. The History will be printed and distributed at the Fall HPN meeting in Louisville and will then be available on the HPN Web site for downloading. 3. Where to from here? HPN develops road map for the future At its March 2005 meeting in San Diego, the HPN worked with facilitator Susan Wallace, PhD, to refresh its strategic plan. HPN leadership wanted to ensure that the plan is consistent with the membership's expectations, and that the Network continues to be a force for positive change for the next 10 years, and beyond. Common Goals Identified as keys for future planning:
4. Wide array of speakers enlighten, educate HPN attendees At the March 2005 meeting of the HPN in San Diego, attendees enjoyed a wide range of speakers on a variety of relevent topics. In addition, several productive team meetings took place, and networking across professional disciplines was abundant. Keynote speaker Bram Briggance, PhD, from the Center for Health Professions, delivered an outstanding overview of the healthcare workforce, highlighting shortages in allied health. Other speakers discussed successful collaboration projects and strategies for employee retention. Deb Stock presented the American Hospital Association's study on improving the healthcare workforce. A good overview of the meeting is available via the Web site of the American Association for Respiratory Care: http://www.aarc.org/headlines/hpn_conf.asp 5. HPN advocates for health professions, links with AHA Through its Advocacy Team, the HPN has been following the discussions in Congress on health professions appropriations. HPN has lent support to several letters written by the Health Professions and Nursing Education Coalition (HPNEC) urging members of congress to restore funding for Title VII and Title VIII programs. Theresa Green, HPN Advocacy Team Leader, met with Deb Stock, VP of Member Relations, American Hospital Association (AHA) and Carla Luggiero, AHA lobbyist, to identify legislative efforts that AHA and HPN commonly support and ways to assist each other with lobbying and advocacy. Look for a full report of the discussion at the Fall HPN meeting. For more information on HPN advocacy, check http://www.healthpronet.org/media_resources/ | |
6. Genetic counselor is Allied Health Profession of the Month Now featured on the Health Professions Network's Web site is the profession of genetic counselor. http://www.healthpronet.org/ahp_month/07_05.html To request that HealthProNet.org feature your health profession in the future, send an e-mail to: webmaster@healthpronet.org 7. HPN speaks to students at 2005 HOSA leadership conference In June, the HPN took part in the 2005 Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) National Leadership Conference in Nashville, TN. Barbara Wilson Chakmakjian, HPN representative from the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology, not only greeted participants at the HPN exhibit but also presented a workshop entitled "A Career in Allied Health." Barbara's session was very well received, with a "standing-room-only" audience! Many thanks to Barbara for representing HPN and educating HOSA Conference attendees-the healthcare pracitioners of tomorrow-about allied health career choices and the critical work of the HPN. For more information on HOSA, see: http://www.hosa.org 8. Prepare to Celebrate! Allied Health Professions Week is coming! Mark your calendars now to celebrate Allied Health Professions Week (AHPW), November 6-12, 2005! AHPW sponsors-the HPN, Association of Schools of Allied Health Professions (ASAHP), and National Network of Health Career Programs in Two Year Colleges (NN2)-invite you to use this opportunity to educate your community about the crucial contributions allied health providers make to quality health care. Ideas to assist you in preparing for this annual recognition program will soon be available on the sponsors' Web sites. Don't miss your chance to highlight career options, acknowledge allied health's important role in patient care, and promote the collaborative spirit inherent in the allied health disciplines. A handbook for celebrating AHPW is available at: http://www.healthpronet.org/prog_resources/ahpweek_handbook_04.pdf 9. Join us in Louisville, September 22-25 Mark your calender now to attend the Health Professions Network in Louisville, KY, September 22-25. Along with valuable networking, discussions of up-to-the-minute allied health issues, and fabulous entertainment, the scheduled speakers include:
To register for the meeting, see: http://www.healthpronet.org/prog_resources/HPN_fallconference05.html | |
About Us . . . Health Professions Network (HPN) E-News is a quarterly newsletter that covers issues of interest to the allied health community. The nearly 200 organizations that have been involved in the HPN since 1995 represent leading allied health professional associations, accrediting agencies, and educational institutions as well as federal and state workforce analysts and licensing/certification bodies. Previous issues are available online at: http://www.healthpronet.org/newsletters/Give Us Your Story Ideas and Feedback What's happening in the world of health professions?
If you have any leads or story ideas, please contact us. Also, let us know what you think about this newsletter-and feel free to forward it to your colleagues. Direct suggestions, comments, compliments, gripes, to
c/o American Medical Association Medical Education Products 515 N State St, Chicago, IL 60610 312 464-4635 312 464-5830 fax fred.lenhoff@ama-assn.org http://www.healthpronet.org/newsletters/ | |
| Communication, consensus, and advocacy on behalf of allied health professionals. |
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