NEWS

Hear a presentation on COVID-19 vaccines and immunity given by Irene Hamrick, MD at our recent Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNF)/Hospital Regional Workgroup meeting.

Chief executive officers and medical leaders said the time has come to require the vaccine to protect their workers and to assure patients that area hospitals are safe.

Our latest efforts to boost vaccination feature targeted digital advertisements that direct users to locations where the vaccine is available.

Our vision for the future of THC is one that is more inclusive, more proactive, and reflects our shared values while providing tailored opportunities to our members.

Ken is responsible for several departments at COA, and has been on the front lines of the collaborative regional effort to address the pandemic.

To learn more about joining our region’s healthcare workforce, or to learn how you or your organization can be involved, visit workforce.healthcollab.org today.

What’s it like to be an emergency responder and public information officer during the worst pandemic in a century?

THC staff and friends were saddened but supportive when Sara made the decision to leave at the end of June.

Traveling during a pandemic requires us to pack a few more items that normal – but they are a necessary part of keeping you and your family safe.

New information presented by CDC and other scientific sources will continue to be evaluated by our hospitals, and changes to these guidelines will be made when appropriate.

Nicole joined our Emergency Preparedness and Response Team as Emergency Support Specialist in the midst of the worst global pandemic in a century.

Appreciation and thanks for the support and strength of the unsung heroes of this pandemic – our area nursing homes.

Get Out the Vax got a mention in the recent national Kaiser Health News roundup.

The Cincinnati Business Courier has recognized the latest group of Healthcare Heroes in Greater Cincinnati, and our regional hospital steering committee is on the roster.

The funds will expand immunization information-sharing among healthcare organizations in the Cincinnati region through our Health Information Exchange (HIE).

“The percent increase is alarming and something we need to understand so we can implement prevention tactics,” says Jackie Phillips, Middletown Health Commissioner.

In this article featuring THC members and staff, the unprecedented challenges and partnerships of the COVID-19 pandemic are explored through a local lens.

“My role is to have a voice at the table with other health commissioners to move forward; and with health systems to be a good steward of resources that we receive,” says Commissioner Moore.

The information we collect will inform how we will direct our energy and resources, and will inspire innovative healthcare delivery models designed to achieve improved health outcomes for all.

“The CDC and FDA are acting in a very cautious manner,” said Tom Lamarre, MD, Medical Director for Infectious Diseases at The Christ Hospital Health Network. “These actions underscore the overall commitment to vaccine safety.”

This past Tuesday saw the kickoff of Get Out the Vax weekends, taking place during the second and fourth weekends in April and May.

Get Out the Vax weekends will take place at Smale Riverfront Park during the second and fourth weekends in April and May, beginning Tuesday, April 6 at 10:30 a.m..

Kroger will administer approximately 3,000 vaccines at the site weekly.

Gov. and First Lady DeWine joined the Ohio National Guard and Council on Aging.

“I look forward to seeing COVID in the rearview mirror and being able to return to addressing the social determinants of health that impact people so much,” Bailer shares.

Whether it’s a personal connection or this new video, these community advocates are hoping to boost the number of minorities getting vaccinated.

Zander is a lung pathologist and cytopathologist, an educator, and a mentor. She’s also a key player in our region’s COVID-19 response.

“This new test site will provide much needed free testing to the surrounding community,” stated Sara Bolton, Senior VP of Programs and Services for The Health Collaborative.

This FAQ page is designed to provide answers to your questions from trusted sources.

Leaders in the Black community share why they are motivated to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

We caught up with Greg to see how he’s been spending his time while combating the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force will provide recommendations for addressing health inequities caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and for preventing such inequities in the future.

Matta leads our legal and risk management activities including HIPAA compliance, contract drafting/negotiation, and employment law.

Each year, we seek the best young talent from across our tri-state region and connect them to educational opportunities, presentations, and workshops.

THC and Measurement Resources will be conducting extensive outreach to identify priority health issues for community members and organizations.

Visit the Test and Protect Cincy landing page to choose your pathway to information on testing, vaccines, and regional trends.

Vaccinations are being scheduled for our highest risk members of the public

Testing among the vulnerable not only helps those at highest risk, but also presents a critical opportunity to control viral spread within and from these communities.

CEO Craig Brammer finds silver linings in the accomplishments we’ve achieved collectively.

Our team will bear a double loss this month in the departure of Medical Director Barbara Tobias, MD, and the retirement of Chief Administrative Officer Colleen O’Toole, PhD.

Spotlight on Senior Account Manager Sean Flynn, working to transform the way first responders collect, share, report, and analyze critical information.

Three Reasons Healthy People Should Get Tested for COVID-19

Six local television, radio and print news outlets are uniting to present an hour-long program created to generate hope and solidarity among regional residents facing the harshest season of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Growing numbers of COVID-19 cases and deaths are troubling; face masks can slow the trend.

Think of your family, neighbors, friends and our healthcare workers, and please join us by making a commitment today to rethink Thanksgiving.

THC and its partners are seeking assistance with the 2021 cycle of our region’s jointly-conducted Community Health Needs Assessment.

The Library is adding four to five locations weekly to allow equitable access across Hamilton County. Testing is walk-up only and no appointment is needed.

TAP MD student and aspiring surgeon Anitvir Taunque shares his reflection on the first virtual surgery he attended through the program.

Watch a message from Ohio Secretary of State to healthcare workers urging you to vote!

We spent a few minutes to get Clayton’s perspective on what’s happening, what’s to come, and all that our region has to be proud of as we hit the six-month mark for the crisis.

We’ve been listening to the voices of our members, and we’re upgrading to offer the most advanced, best-in-industry software and services available.

Kristi Nelson is VP Global Human Resources and General Counsel for Multi-Color Corp., a leader in global label solutions.

Hamilton County has partnered with The Health Collaborative and their partners as we have regional surveillance across the region that can pinpoint where there are spikes and hot spots in communities.

Hoxworth’s Director of Public Relations, Alecia Lipton MHA talks about the current need for blood, plasma, and convalescent plasma donations in our region to help ALL patients in need.

Donating convalescent plasma is an incredible way to make a difference during this time of uncertainty—and when you donate with Hoxworth, your plasma is guaranteed to go to a patient in need right here in the Tri-state area.

Chirumbolo and his skilled care organizations have been at the forefront of the pandemic response, keeping our most vulnerable elderly cared for and safe.

A new paper detailing how together, behavioral healthcare and primary care can improve physician job satisfaction and patient health.

The caring staff at our area nursing homes are heroes who do not seek recognition but an understanding of the ongoing battle they face.

Hamilton County is ramping up its COVID-19 testing strategy thanks to a partnership between Hamilton County, The Health Collaborative and several of our region’s leading health and healthcare institutions.

Reflecting on all we’ve accomplished in our region together in 2020 despite the challenges of the pandemic.

Dr. Calhoun gives his insight into what motivates him and how he stays connected to what matters most.

Keith Hepp has stood tall as a leader of our organization and a national advocate for health information exchanges for many years.

Beckett Springs engages with patients, families, employees, communities, healthcare providers, and health insurers to increase access to behavioral healthcare.

This week, THC’s Ameenah Hall is joined by Rachele Wolf, Vice President Client Education Services of HORAN to talk about their commitment to supporting clients during the COVID pandemic.

Help us protect the region by sharing this important message of “IF YOU’RE OUT, MASKS ON,” to your employees and networks through social media.

Critical Health and Safety Information to be Shared with Cincinnati Region via RC3

This week, Senior Healthcare Consultants Amy Donaldson & Laurie Farmer of TiER1 Performance Healthcare share how they are helping their clients weather the storm of the pandemic.

Senior Manager of Clinical Initiatives Kate Haralson discusses how our regional COVID-19 response teams have worked to develop common tools often used in QI projects.

Community spread has been attributed to large social gatherings, family parties, and work environments.

Learn how Airrosti is working to provide essential healthcare services during the pandemic.

Contact tracing supports patients and warns contacts of exposure in order to stop the spread of disease.

O’dell Owens, MD, President and CEO of Interact for Health, join’s THC’s Ameenah Hall for Friday, 6/12.

Gen-H Connect funding will ensure screenings for transportation, food access, and other services remain available in difficult times.

#WhiteCoatsforBlackLives

HCAN’s Sarah Mills and Giacoma Telich describe the challenges of providing access to healthcare and health resources during a global pandemic.

From hot spot surveillance to tracking individual patient medications, our team has been innovating every step of the way with far-reaching implications beyond the current circumstances.

This week’s interview is with Jorge Perez, President & CEO of the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati.

The YWCA is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.

If you are planning to make a visit to a hospital, please contact the hospital directly or visit their website for more specific restrictions by location.

Justin Poulin, Vice President of Sales at Green Security, talks about how the organization has pivoted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Greater Cincinnati-area hospitals are here, safe, and ready to care for you and your loved ones.

Join Greater Cincinnati’s Healthcare Leaders and Frontline Staff as they provide an update on the current state of our region’s Hospitals

Member feedback is vital to our marketing and customer service strategies.

Ms. Weir brings a unique perspective on healthcare and the needs of our region’s families.

Together, health systems and hospitals are prioritizing the needs and safety of patients, families, and employees to ensure we have the right resources needed to reopen and expand our services.

Many regional leaders and officials have worked together to make this decision, and to ensure that it will in no way negatively affect our region’s ability to respond to any future community need.

Find out why Sandy is an invaluable, understated hero and staff favorite.

We asked Bryan Black, Transportation Manager at COA, to give us an insider’s look into this innovative new program with a quick Q&A.

Thanks to our collaborative community efforts we’re staying ahead of the curve.

Our hospitals and health systems remain devoted to our region, and are prepared to care for you and your loved ones if you need them.

Mountain Crest has established a free-standing facility to accommodate post-acute COVID-19 infected individuals.

Contact your primary care doctor or closest urgent care center if you feel symptoms, do not arrive to a hospital or emergency department without a doctor’s referral for testing.

The Health Collaborative is proud to convene over 175 medical and public health leaders in 16 teams in a unified command structure, to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic together.

A snapshot of regional skilled nursing facilities shows how THC member organizations across the region are leading at the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic response,

Angenette Levy spoke with Hyson about the potential for a large makeshift hospital, how to spot the differences in types of masks – and we meet Troy the Cat!

Jason’s passion for providing timely and actionable information to our members is superceded only by baseba- family, definitely family…

“We are flattening the curve in Ohio,” said Dr. Amy Acton, Ohio Department of Health Director.

At this time, there are no routinely available pharmaceutical products that are FDA-approved for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19.

This assessment will capture and curate best practices and lessons learned for off-site testing.

“This event was a great way to introduce all of us to the environment in which we hope to work,” says Dan.

Local authorities, hospital systems, and The Health Collaborative continue to explore strategies to increase local caches of supplies and equipment.

“I am proud of our team and the leadership of our members and partners for their resiliency and extreme dedication during this unprecedented time,” says Brammer.

The Ohio Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control have shared the latest strategies and criteria.

While inconvenient, these are necessary steps to ensure the safety and preparedness of our region.

The latest guidance from CDC and local public health.

To keep patients and residents in our region safe, please follow these guidelines.

The YMCA of Greater Cincinnati has announced that it is focusing on childcare for those providing healthcare services during the pandemic.

THC’s implementation of Information Builders’ Omni-HealthData Cloud solutions will enable a unified data exchange that gives users a single source of truth.

We are staying prepared with the latest information and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state health departments.

“This was a great first event to participate in because it allowed us to see how important it is for health care professionals to remain practiced in their skills,” shares Kayla.

In this collaboration with IBM’s Big Data and Analytics Hub, learn how Health Care Access Now utilizes services from The Health Collaborative to help Community Health Workers address social determinants and client barriers to better health.

Our Public Information Officer checks in with some sound advice and resources on COVID-19.

Jill comes to us from TriHealth, where she served as the Lead Employee Health Technician. She is also an active EMT with the Ripley Life Squad in Brown County.

Damon has been working with the team to help keep things running smoothly behind the scenes for internal and external customers, providing network administration, server/storage administration, and application support.

This is the first rotation to include St. Elizabeth Healthcare in Northern Kentucky to bring the total to five health systems in the Greater Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky area.

Joe works alongside our Director of Human Resources and Organizational Development to ensure smooth day-to-day services for our organization.

Over 85 media professionals, hospital communication leaders, law enforcement representatives, and public information officers gathered together to commence the second annual Media Summit

The Epic SIG members know that at any moment, a person could be admitted as a patient at any one of the participating health systems.

This self-confessed organizer-overthinker is the newest member of the Gen-H team.

Nixon was recently hired on as an official employee after several months of contracting in the Customer Service department.

We asked the Indian Hill High Senior to share his thoughts on the evening spent with the region’s best physicians and providers.

Five students from our 2019 TAP MD class were on hand donning their lab coats to network with area physicians and healthcare professionals.

These individuals are currently isolated while awaiting test results. Their symptoms did not require hospitalization.

Being involved in this program opened many doors for this senior. Through TAP MD, Baker is now able to reach out to medical professionals due to the major networking opportunities.

Ms. Clipp’s addition to the award-winning Board of Directors aids the nonprofit in its mission to improve health and healthcare in the tristate region.

The insights gained through this process are already helping guide THC policy and practice.

As Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr. Shonk is a core member of the executive team, providing senior executive leadership to the Programs & Services division.

The Health Collaborative has recently welcomed Espy Services to its Group Purchasing Organization Preferred Vendor family.

On behalf of my team here at The Health Collaborative, thank you for working with us on the common vision of improving care, lowering spending, and creating a healthier community.

Patterson works with a diverse set of clinical and community partners to ensure the successful implementation of THC’s Accountable Health Communities model, known as Gen-H Connect.

Greater Cincinnati hospitals implement restrictions to limit spread of flu and other respiratory illnesses this season.

To help offset the cost for students, TAP Health is raising funds to ensure each student has the gear they need to succeed!

Linda is responsible for a number of vital functions that keep things running smoothly for leadership, staff, and visitors.

This unique training program is designed to prevent skill atrophy and build civilian/military relationships while strengthening community ties.

In the next 12 months, our goal is to support our health system and hospital members as they quickly assess their ability to meet these new requirements.

Mercy Serves Members treat patients with a whole-person, chronic-disease model, including addressing emotional and social barriers to treatment and coordinating across settings to ensure all those who are ready for treatment get the care they need.

Wright oversees The E.W. Scripps Company enterprise-wide diversity and inclusion strategies.

The Health Collaborative is partnering with Mathematica, the Patient Advocate Foundation, and MediaAgility on a solution leveraging artificial intelligence and industry-leading methods to achieve goals that drive primary care transformation.

When Epic, The Christ Hospital Health Network’s electronic medical records platform, announced plans for an upgrade that would better capture patients’ sexual orientation and gender identity information, Parker immediately became a champion for training and resources.

Brad Mathis, MD, Associate Chief Medical Officer at UC Health was awarded this year for his CAUTI project to improve patient outcomes, and dedication to advancing the Quality Improvement process system-wide.

Healthcare heroes in the Greater Cincinnati region were recognized for their excellence in the areas of quality improvement, population health, healthcare technology, and diversity & inclusion

The TriHealth Corporate Health team is helping close the gap between employee action to improve healthy habits and reducing the cost of healthcare for employers.

Dr. Cogorno teamed up with Epic analyst Ashley Jackson to build custom Cogito Radar Dashboards that could display metrics for the entire patient panel on one screen.

“Jeff’s expertise is invaluable to the success of the VA Medical Center,” said Beth Ackerson, chief nurse and chief health informatics officer.

The team developed workflows for diagnosing and treating Emergency Department (ED) and hospital patients who either present with severe sepsis or develop severe sepsis after being admitted.

Lindsay has served as President and CEO of The HealthCare Connection since its opening, and is one of the longest-serving community health center CEOs in the country.

A believer in servant leadership, Dr. Mathis is invested in innovation by – and the creativity of – all, including front-line employees. We’re proud to honor him as a finalist for the 2019 Inspire Richard M. Smith Leadership in Quality Improvement Award.

At Mercy Health – Cincinnati, minimizing the critical timing of stroke identification and treatment has been prioritized system-wide, and the results have been life-saving.

In less than a year, having this team in just one area of the hospital demonstrated nearly a 70% reduction in blood-draw specimens rejected for quality and quantity issues.

The overall spirit and teamwork within her unit has improved through Stacy’s continued advocacy and invaluable leadership across the healthcare team.

A recent building project at UC Health became the most inclusive project in the health system’s history, and included a spend of more than $23 million with minority-owned and women-owned businesses.

Mercy Serves promotes the power of the human story to help shift the existing paradigm and stigma attached to addiction.

One year after joining the faculty of the UC College of Medicine, Dr. Espinola recognized the need to improve the recruitment, promotion, and retention of women and underrepresented faculty members, residents, and students.

Parker became a tireless force in leading network-wide cultural competency training to ensure staff and physicians across the organization were prepared for an upcoming change.

Ten years ago, WeTHRIVE! started with a focus on increasing access to healthy food and physical activity, while decreasing exposure to secondhand smoke. What started with 50 people in three communities has expanded to impact more than 300,000 people throughout 26 communities.

The Health Collaborative has confirmed its highly-anticipated keynote speaker for the SOLD OUT 2019 Inspire | Healthcare Gala & Awards Celebration, scheduled for November 6 at The Hilton Netherland Plaza in downtown Cincinnati.

The Health Collaborative is proud to honor the Mercy Health team as a finalist for the 2019 Inspire Gen-H Award, as it identified a problem and quickly helped find a solution for a local neighborhood in great need.

Pending acceptance, The Health Collaborative will help practices with pre-enrollment to join an upcoming CMS initiative to reduce clinical administrative burdens while improving quality.

Keith Hepp will chair the Board of an organization that is growing in size, service and influence nationally.

Hundreds of volunteers, regional emergency management agencies, hospitals, and first responders gathered to participate in the 2019 Mass Casualty Incident Exercise.

We recently welcomed Andrew Derksen to The Health Collaborative team to lead efforts and manage relationships for our Group Purchasing Organization.

Caroline Hensley, a fourth-year medical student in the University of Cincinnati’s College of Medicine, and a team of other like-minded medical students decided to take action last year to help a community gain better access to healthcare resources.

After identifying healthcare gaps in 2018 and realizing just how prevalent the problem was in the Greater Cincinnati area, the Deaconess team took immediate action.

The 5th Annual Golf Outing benefiting the Hoxworth Blood Center Research & Regenerative Medicine Program was held on Tuesday, September 24.

“Sara is a natural at connecting dots, empowering people, and stewarding improvement projects,” says CEO Craig Brammer.

Reflections on a retreat like no other from Tiffany Mattingly, RN, MSN, Director, Clinical Quality Improvement.

Check out TAP MD’s day with UC Health with our TAP Student Reporter, Vivek!

Congratulations to Dr. O’Toole – and all the finalists and winners at the 2019 CSuite Awards!

TAP MD visited UC Health on Friday, August 16 for a learning session on “Trauma 101.” Students learned about various aspects of trauma and emergent care.

Finalists (and winners) are chosen by past Inspire winners, program leaders, and subject matter experts in four areas including: diversity and inclusion, population health; health information technology; and patient safety and quality improvement.

S.M.A.R.T. is an innovative, strategic partnership between the U.S. military and regional healthcare systems designed to prevent skill atrophy and build civilian/military relationships while strengthening community ties. 30 Active, Reserve, and Guard personnel representing the U.S. Army graduated from the unique training program.

Over 300 volunteers and 30 organizations are coming together to practice emergency response skills during a worst-case scenario.

Vivek Alamuri, a rising senior at Indian Hill High School, is our student “reporter” in the TAP MD program.

Darris Bohman MSN, RN, CEN is a Bethesda Butler Nurse that drives health-related social needs screening initiatives for vulnerable populations.

“We’re already more than halfway through 2019, and after travelling several thousand air miles in recent months I continue to be challenged and inspired by my good fortune to work alongside the best and brightest in the industry.”

Ben has a a Masters Degree in Health Informatics from Boston University and recently moved to the Southwest Ohio region via Portland, Maine.

The 6th TriState Nursing Excellence Symposium will be held April 23, 2020 at Receptions Banquet and Conference. The deadline for abstract submissions is Nov. 1, 2019.

Our new Director of IT Solutions Architecture has started out strong with lots of great insights and ideas. Read on for a quick Q&A getting to know Andrew.

“I particularly enjoyed the segment about diabetes and obesity where we talked about the differences between Type 1 and Type 2.” Read more about Vivek’s TAP MD experience.

The C-Suite Awards Program honors C-level executives for their contributions and commitment to the community.

We spent a few minutes getting to know Ana and what she’s planning to accomplish over the next couple of months.

We sat down with Allison for a brief Q&A to get to know her better and find out what she’s working on this summer.

The Health Collaborative and data & software firm ESO announced this week their partnership to create a bi-directional exchange of healthcare data between EMS agencies and hospital care givers.

We recently brought UC student Jack Komrska on board the Informatics team for the summer.

This past weekend, THC’s Hyson and Team Rubicon Ohio conducted wellness check-ins with homeowners in Montgomery County, and helped remove tornado debris and damage from homes.

During this round of S.M.A.R.T. three soldiers went above the call of duty – and saved lives.

THC will be speaking at the 2019 SHIEC Annual Conference! Join us August 18 – 21 at the Gaylord National Harbor in National Harbor, MD.

Shirley LaPiana-Martin has recently been elected to The Health Collaborative (THC) Board of Directors to provide a healthcare consumer point of view, the first time in the organization’s history a direct consumer has been elected to serve.

“The opportunity to present a consumer viewpoint with The Health Collaborative feels tailor-made to leverage both my professional and personal background,” Martin shares.

As our Director of Development, Denise oversees and manages fundraising efforts for Gen-H and other associated programming, and she’s “never met a stranger.”

As she embarks upon her new career path at THC, Hall is dedicated to enhancing and expanding the events and programming opportunities on offer in its reservable Learning Center and many gathering spaces.

Unique Ohio/Northern Kentucky data aggregation service is now offering eight HEDIS measures to enhance practices’ care management efforts.

New interoperability regulations are still in public comment period until June 3, 2019 – and THC will continue to stay abreast of the regulation changes to help you remain compliant.

CPC+ Strengthens Primary Care Practices Through Quality and Performance-Based Incentive Payments

The Health Collaborative’s CEO, Craig Brammer, will be adding a second CEO title to his resume. Craig has been appointed to lead The Network for Regional Healthcare Improvement (NRHI) starting November 1 and will concurrently serve in both roles.

The Health Collaborative celebrated excellence and innovation in Greater Cincinnati healthcare in front of a sold-out crowd at The Center.

Our experts found that the multi-payer claims data provides evidence of considerable savings and utilization reductions in the Medicare Advantage population in OH/KY.

Dr. Diwan has been selected for the 2018 Inspire Champion Award for his work in educating our youth and playing an integral role in the success of the TAP MD program since 2013.

The Mercy Health informatics team leveraged the Epic EMR system to place screening tools and relevant patient history in the hands of providers at the point of care.

The Good Samaritan Free Health Center is the only free health center in Hamilton County and provides care to the uninsured, non-Medicaid/Medicare-eligible adults who have an income less than 200% of the poverty level.

From prevention efforts, to harm- reduction methods, to long-term treatment, Mercy Health’s aim is to normalize and expand treatment options for those suffering from substance abuse disorders.

The Health Collaborative’s CEO, Craig Brammer, will be adding a second CEO title to his resume.

Patient Centered Data Home (PCDH) aims to place the patient at the center of care by making important health data available whenever and wherever care occurs.

PCDH allows clinical data to be available whenever and wherever care occurs and keeps the patient at the center.

THC staff gathered to celebrate with cake and a few words from CEO Craig Brammer

We’re part of a growing number of health information exchanges across the country who are working to make sure care providers and patients have the right information, at the right time.

The internet of things (IoT) is a hot topic in the technology ecosystem. But what is it?

It’s official: The Greater Cincinnati Health Council, HealthBridge and the Health Collaborative have merged under the name The Health Collaborative. The document signing occurred Monday, March 30th.