Loma Linda University Adventist Health Sciences Center
Loma Linda University
Loma Linda University Medical Center
Loma Linda University Health System
February 24-26, 2013
Reports were presented to and actions taken by the Boards of Trustees/Directors for LLUAHSC (now referred to as Loma Linda University Health [LLUH]), LLU, LLUMC and LLUHS. Highlights of these reports and actions follow:
Integration Task Force
During an educational session for the Boards—which also included LLU Faculty Medical Group—on Sunday, February 24, members listened to a preliminary report presented by the Integration Task Force (ITF). This group has been tasked by senior LLUH administration with comparing the current and expected state of health care in the United States to the present organizational structure of various corporations under LLUH. In summary, ITF members concur with the idea that increased system integration is the current trend in health care, particularly in light of implementation of the Affordable Care Act, and that LLUH needs to pursue further system integration.
“The U.S. government has given strong signals that it intends to incentivize health care to be given in an integrated, high-value delivery system,” suggests Herbert Ruckle, MD, professor and chair of urology, LLU School of Medicine, and ITF chair, “with an emphasis on prevention and population management.” Dr. Ruckle continues, “It appears that the government and other payors will favor larger, fully integrated health care organizations in an effort to increase value, streamline health care, and reduce costs.” He goes on to say that LLUH has the potential to be organized and developed into a fully integrated health care delivery platform.
ITF members have interviewed many administrative and physician leaders across the various entities that compose LLUH. They report a resounding consensus that the entire LLU Health organization should pursue integration as fully as possible—including the faculty physician groups.
Other ITF members include Judy Storfjell, PhD, chief nursing officer, LLUMC; Mark Reeves, MD, PhD, vice president of institutes; Abel Torres, MD, JD, professor and chair of dermatology, LLU School of Medicine; Ron Swenson, MD, associate professor and chair of obstetrics and gynecology, LLU School of Medicine, and Mark Janack, RNFA. Providing important support to ITC efforts are Paul Hermann, MD, PhD, associate professor of pathology and human anatomy, LLU School of Medicine; Angela Lalas, MBA, chief financial officer, LLU Shared Services; and Padmini Davamony, executive director of decision support and information systems, LLU Health Care.
New Dean for School of Dentistry
The Board voted the appointment of Ronald Dailey, PhD, as the new dean of the LLU School of Dentistry effective July 1, 2013. Dr. Dailey, chair and associate professor of dental education services, currently serves as executive associate dean of the school. “Dr. Dailey’s long track record makes him an obvious choice for dean,” says Richard H. Hart, MD, DrPH, president of LLUH, “and our Board confirmed that recommendation. I am delighted to welcome Ron to that position.”
Dr. Dailey joined the LLU School of Dentistry in June of 1975 as an instructor in the department of preventive and community dentistry. Since then, he has served as assistant dean for admissions and student affairs, and most recently as executive associate dean. He is the fifth dean of the LLU School of Dentistry since it became part of Loma Linda University in 1953.
Center for Christian Bioethics Celebrates 30 Years
The Loma Linda University Center for Christian Bioethics, opened in January of 1984, is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. Roy Branson, PhD, associate dean of the LLU School of Religion and director of the center, pointed out in particular the legacy of Jack Provonsha, MD, PhD, who began discussions of the relationship between ethics and medical/biological research—termed bioethics—many years ago. Dr. Branson also mentioned that Loma Linda University has expanded its ethics faculty to include six professors with doctorates in the field that teach students throughout the university. He added that physicians trained in ethics at LLU are now fellows of the center and provide ongoing clinical bioethics consultations at LLU Medical Center. As part of his presentation, Dr. Branson shared a video highlighting the many lectures and conferences that have resulted in numerous books and some 400 educational videos.
Department of Earth and Biological Sciences Celebrates 50 Years
The Board also took time to recognize the 50th anniversary of the department of earth and biological sciences. Leonard Brand, PhD, professor of earth and biological sciences, was on hand to receive the Board’s congratulations on behalf of the department. Celebratory events are being planned for April 21–27, including an open house, biology and geology field trips, a symposium on environmental stewardship, as well Sabbath School and vespers programs at the Loma Linda University Church of Seventh-day Adventists.
National Branding Campaign to Launch in April
The Loma Linda University Health national branding campaign, slated to kick off in April, was presented to the Board by Tony Yang, MBA, assistant vice president for public affairs, and Tammy Veach, executive director of marketing. Board members were given a sneak peek at some of the creative visuals and strategies that will be used to tell the Loma Linda story—with a focus on wellness and prevention—on the national stage.
“It’s exciting to be part of this chapter in our history,” says Mr. Yang. “In many ways, Loma Linda already has a national brand because of the incredible commitment and dedication of so many who have served, and continue to serve, our organization.” He continues, “But this is the first time we’re going to tell that story proactively, strategically, and intentionally on the national stage, with a new name—Loma Linda University Health—to describe our entire enterprise of eight schools, six hospitals, 800 faculty physicians, and 14,000 staff and faculty.”
Epic System Successfully Launched
Zareh Sarrafian, MBA, chief administrative officer, LLUMC, thanked Ricardo Peverini, MD; Mark Zirkelbach, MPA; Cindy Schmidt, MBA; and Beth Elwell, MBA for the work done to prepare for and implement the Loma Linda Electronic Access Portal, known as LLEAP. Dr. Peverini, senior vice president for clinical faculty, LLUH, then covered the highlights of the “cutover”—manually moving patient information for current patients from one system to the other the day before the Epic Go-Live event at 3:48 a.m. on February 5. He also discussed where LLUH currently stands in the implementation process. LLEAP’s current functionality meets criteria for stage 6 (out of a possible seven stages) of the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) electronic medical record adoption model.
Beth Elwell, MBA, executive program director for LLEAP, discussed the successes, challenges, and the next phases of the ongoing system implementation. The Epic software integrates all aspects of patient care, from physician notes to patient billing, making critical information available to authorized health care professionals and giving patients greater access to their health records.
A command center in Wong Kerlee International Conference Center was outfitted with more than 100 computers, and Loma Linda and Epic personnel worked 24/7 for three weeks to support end users during go-live.