NIHCM Health Systems Capacity Conference

The National Institute for Health Care Management presents Managing Health System Capacity: Market and Policy Approaches on December 1 at the St. Regis Hotel, Washington, DC. The number of hospitals, physicians and other providers affects the amount of care delivered to American patients and the value received from our health care spending. Some capacity expansions produce benefits that exceed their costs, yet the reverse may be true when overuse of expensive goods and services occurs. A better understanding of the effects and drivers of capacity changes and identification of strategies to manage capacity growth are essential for improving the efficiency and quality of our health care system.

Join the National Institute for Health Care Management for an in-depth examination of the critical issues surrounding health system capacity. Registration must be received by November 21. Register by sending your full name, job title and contact information as it should appear in the list of participants to capacityconference@nihcm.org.

Building Healthcare Relationships with Web 2.0 Tools

Web 2.0 - you have heard the term but may not know what it is or how it relates to you as a healthcare professional. Recent trends in healthcare demonstrate how global collaboration is changing the way we communicate; not only personally, but with our customer base and employees. Connecting with employees, physicians and consumers takes more than just putting the information on a website. This program discusses how individuals seek out information about disease states, preventive measures, and treatment options; and your need to be a part of it. This 90-minute webcast is presented by the Society for Healthcare Strategy and Market Development of the American Hospital Association on December 3 at 12 Noon CT. For more information, call (312) 422-3888 or e-mail shsmd@aha.org.

Hope Has a Home Gala

With stories of his more than three decades of commitment to others, Dr. Abraham J. Twerski, Gateway Rehab’s co-founder and medical director emertius, will entertain and inspire the audience at Gateway’s 2008 Hope Has a Home Gala on Thursday, December 11. This year’s Hope Has a Home Gala will be emceed by WTAE-TV’s Michelle Wright and Mike Clark and will take place at the Hilton Pittsburgh, with the general reception beginning at 6:30 p.m. and the dinner and program starting at 7 p.m. For more information, call (412) 766-8700 ext. 1234 or e-mail cindy.vongray@gatewayrehab.org.

Mercy Hospital School of Nursing Announces 2008-2009 Open Houses

Attention prospective students who are interested in a making a difference in the lives of others and in learning about the many rewards that the profession of nursing has to offer: The Mercy Hospital School of Nursing is hosting a series of Saturday open houses on October 25 and November 22 and February 28 and March 28, 2009. All take place from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. in the Sister Margaret Mary Laitta Auditorium, 4th floor, Building B (Ermire Building). The school is physically located on the campus of UPMC Mercy, which is conveniently located at 1400 Locust St. in Uptown Pittsburgh. Advance registration is requested by noon the day prior to each event. For more information or to register, call the Mercy Hospital School of Nursing at (412) 232-7940 or (412) 232-7950.