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| July 16, 2002
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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Contact:
Daphne Colangelo or
Carol Chernack
Horizon/Mercy
609-538-0700 exts. 5153 and 5290
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Issues Affecting Nurses and heatlh Care Delivery Under Managed Care Explored at the 2002 NJ Nurses Summit Convened by Horizon/Mercy
TRENTON, N.J., July 16, 2002 ?
Close to 200 nurses and others involved in the nursing field gathered for the 2002 NJ Nurses Summit, "Nurses and Managed Care: Making the Promise Real," held May 9-10 at the Ocean Place Conference Resort in Long Branch, N.J. The first in what is intended to be a yearly event convened by Horizon/Mercy, the summit aimed to inspire ideas and educate nursing professionals about new strategies and approaches to partnering and collaboration that will help them to ensure the promise of the managed care delivery system.
Former U.S. Surgeon General M. Joycelyn Elders, M.D., formally commenced the summit with her address, "Fulfilling the Promise of Managed Care." Dr. Elders emphasized the importance of health care over sick care, and reminded listeners that the power and influence of nurses are what make health care work. She urged those in attendance to promote universal access to health care, reminding listeners that a 2010 goal is to increase the length of a healthy life.
Also speaking at the event was Clifton R. Lacy, M.D., FACC, FACP, Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services. Dr. Lacy spoke on the importance of nurses in the spectrum of health care delivery.
"Nurses are an essential component to making the managed care system work well," said Velvet G. Miller, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, president and chief executive officer of Horizon/Mercy. "By sponsoring this important summit, we aim to inspire ideas and educate health care professionals about the important role nurses play."
Designed for nurses, nursing students, nurse educators, case managers, health care administrators, managed care professionals, and others who have an involvement and interest in the field of nursing, the summit brought together nurse experts who:
- Assessed the changing and challenging role of nursing;
- Promoted preventive health care;
- Acknowledged and addressed health care disparities;
- Explored barriers and solutions to equitable delivery of health care;
- Engaged key stakeholders as resources, advocates and leaders;
- Explored the important role nurses play in ensuring the promise of managed care.
The general session presentations explored issues pertinent to nurses today. "The Growing Importance of Technology in Health Care Delivery," educated attendees about how current technology can assist in the prevention and reduction of medical errors and can assist clinicians in accessing data at the point of care.
"Breaking the Glass Ceiling," was a CEO panel discussion focusing on how nurses can break the glass ceiling and rise to the positions they desire to hold by utilizing career mentors.
Summit delegates also attended the following workshops that were held between the general sessions: "Monoclonal Antibodies: Targeted Cancer Treatment;" "Targets & Techniques in Treating Type 2 Diabetes;" "Care Management: The Integration of Inter-related Processes;" "Cultural Competency: A Quality Indicator;" "The Nurse as Practitioner in Managed Care: A Way to Make a Difference;" "Model to Improve Delivery of Clinical Preventive Services Among NJ Health Plans."
The summit kicked off the evening of May 9 with an introductory session, "Stressed Out & Loving It!," presented by health care educator and stand-up comedian Lori Radcliffe-Allen, RN, CPT/CFC. The session was followed by a welcome reception. Nurses attending the summit were able to earn contact hours for six workshops or sessions.
In addition, summit attendees had the opportunity to visit a variety of exhibitor booths, including Abbot Laboratories, Metropolitan Medical and Surgical Supply, Loving Care Pediatric Homecare, Nurse Midwifery Program, Horizon Healthcare Staffing and New Jersey State Nurses Association.
Horizon/Mercy is New Jersey's largest managed health care organization serving the publicly insured, providing health care services to more than 280,000 people in all 21 New Jersey counties. With headquarters located in Trenton, N.J., the organization is a partnership of Horizon Healthcare of NJ, Inc., a subsidiary of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield (HBCBS), and Mercy Health Plan, a subsidiary of Mercy Health System.
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