Valued Voice

The Partners of WHA held their annual convention on October 1-3 in Stevens Point. The state hospital volunteer group gathered for their membership meeting, installation of new officers, education and networking. WHA Vice President of Education and Marketing and Partners liaison Leigh Ann Larson gave her annual address to the group updating them on WHA activities. Her focus was on hospital reimbursement, post-acute care and workforce.

The highlight of the convention was the WHA CEO Panel where WHA member hospital CEOs addressed the group on timely and relevant topics.

L to R: David Hartberg, Marc Augsburger, John Russell, Jon Hoelter.This year’s panel included David Hartberg, CEO of Vernon Memorial Hospital and current WHA Board chair; Marc Augsburger, CEO of Edgerton Hospitals; and John Russell, CEO of Prairie Ridge Hospital, and was moderated by WHA Vice President of Federal and State Relations Jon Hoelter.
 
Hospital-related topics discussed were the challenges with workforce, prior authorization, private equity, post-acute care and Medicare Advantage. Regarding the work that the Partners do on the local level, the panel agreed that the Partners have a “dedicated sense of community, which we are losing in our society.” The impact the Partners have on advocacy was described as “a force that cannot be denied.”
 
If your hospital does not have a Partners of WHA program, please contact Leigh Ann Larson for more information.