Relentlessly pushing the State to release financial relief, fair and logical implementation of clinical staffing plans, patient safety, continued pandemic response, and new and innovative members only tools to address recruitment and retention to alleviate the Upstate healthcare workforce crisis – these initiatives are the priorities at the root of IHA’s data-driven advocacy as we continue to represent the unified voice of and support for Upstate New York’s hospitals and health systems and the dedicated workers that are employed by them.
IHA’s newsletter features highlights and updates on our advocacy efforts, programs & initiatives, United Iroquois Shared Services (UISS) group purchasing updates, as well as what’s happening inside IHA. We want to take a moment to fill you in on all the association is doing thus far in 2022. We hope you enjoy this edition!
This legislative session—indeed the last year—has been an unbelievable zenith of this COVID era. As we navigated new COVID variants, vaccine mandates, staffing challenges, and the need for additional resources, Iroquois was there with you assisting with calibrating to a new political landscape led by a new Governor and not one, but two new Lieutenant Governors. In addition, the political landscape continues in flux as the legislature and House of Representatives face a set of split primary elections—June for the Assembly and August for the House and State Senate.
Kevin Kerwin
Deputy Vice President of Advocacy
and Government Relations
As the weather gets warmer and Albany seemingly gets quieter, IHA continues its advocacy efforts to address new policies resulting from the 2022 legislative session. During the course of the 2022 session, the legislature passed an astounding 1009 bills for the Governor’s consideration. Among those bills are several of interest to IHA members that are outlined at the link below. Rest assured that IHA will continue its advocacy on the bills with importance for its members.
IHA thanks all of its members for the contributions they made during the FY 2023 budget season and the 2022 legislative session. The data that members supply us with bolsters our advocacy efforts and paints a vivid picture for legislators to understand the impact of their policy decisions. Read more
Programs & Initiatives Update
Eileen B. Murphy
Senior Director, Special Projects
IHA WIO is working on several exciting programs and projects to bring value to IHA members and assist with recruitment, retention and training efforts. The IHA Mother Cabrini Scholarship award recipients have been given their 2022 scholarship funds, and the Acute Care Training Program is being expanded with a content refresh and a series of recruitment and retention webinars. The Caring Gene® recruitment website now features hospital job postings, and is currently free to all IHA members.
Iroquois Healthcare Association is launching an Exclusive, Members-Only contingent staffing program “Upstate Works.” This program was designed as a true member benefit, giving member hospitals the ability to decrease their reliance on high-cost traditional staffing agencies, thereby cutting costs, and providing the opportunity for greater staffing agency cost management.
After two long years, Premier’s Annual Breakthroughs Conference was held as an in-person event at the Gaylord Resort in National Harbor, Maryland!
UISS again sponsored members to attend the conference by covering the costs related to airfare and hotel rooms. Twelve (12) members attended, all of which were first-time attendees, and were treated to three busy days of learning with CEU approved sessions, networking during the many networking opportunities offered, and discovering the new technologies Premier showcased. All that along with a comedian emcee makes for a excellent conference. Read more
Inside IHA
Get To Know the IHA Team! 5 Fun Facts About...
Gary Fitzgerald, President & CEO
Owns Motorcycles
Has 2 Donkeys
Has his own baseball card (IYKYK)
has 4 children / 2 grandchildren
favorite drink is J. Lohr Cabernet
Mary Ellen Boese, Manager of Executive Operations
Buffalo Bills Fan
Left-Handed
Has 2 children
Favorite Drink is a Signature Cosmo
Grew up in Buffalo, NY
Please Join Us in Welcoming Lauren!
Lauren has a diverse background in research, policy analysis, development, and analytics. Prior to joining us, she was director of program research, development and policy for the Home Care Association of New York State.
THANK YOU to our Elite Level Business Associate members, Third Party Reimbursement Solutions, LLC and NaluPay. Check out their recent promotions at the link below.
MLMIC Introduces SILO – A Customized Protection Program for Employed Physicians
Every aspect of the field of medicine is evolving, and medical professional liability coverage (MPL) is no exception.
Keeping in tune and striving to address the changing needs of the market and customers we serve, MLMIC Insurance Company has introduced SILO, an insurance program designed to provide comprehensive protection for employed physicians.
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