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April/May 2006

April 01, 2006 

GET READY -- WE HAVE AN EXCITING YEAR AHEAD!
It is a privilege to address you as your 2006 president! I want to thank everyone who attended the November conference. Overall the feedback was great and the event was a success.
 
Thanks to our wonderful new board, we have an exiting and ambitious year ahead of us. Our top priority is to meet the needs of our HCO membership. Responding to the results of our 2005 survey, we have started working toward positive change in several areas:
  • E-newsletter to be sent out quarterly
  • Upgrading our website
  • Luncheon events in addition to our Spring Conference
  • First ever awards event (to coincide with the Fall conference)
  • Providing more activities throughout the state
  • Reaching out for more hospital system representation and professionals from health plans, long-term or skilled nursing facilities as well as individuals working or studying healthcare public relations, marketing, advertising, research, planning and non-profit agencies and freelancers with a healthcare client base.
I hope you'll consider joining a committee (see below) and help us promote our wonderful industry. If your membership has lapsed (or if you don't know your current status), please renew today by contacting our Membership Chair, Tom Eiland, at tome@cfmpdx.com. And, if you know someone in the health care communications field who is not a member, encourage them to join.
 
If you have any questions or comments about Healthcare Communicators of Oregon, please contact me at belaf@earthlink.net. Thank you for your support!
 
Best wishes,
Bela Friedman, 2006 HCO President
 
 
SAVE THE DATE FOR OUR SPRING EVENT -- A DAY AT THE CAPITAL
Date: Tuesday, June 6, 2006
Time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: Salem Hospital: Conference Room at the Family Birthing Center
Join us at HCO’s annual Spring Conference. We’re lining up a dynamic panel of speakers including DHS director, Dr. Bruce Goldberg, who will discuss the future of Oregon’s Healthcare from a State perspective;  Larry Wheeler, VP of Communications and External Affairs for Kaiser Permanente Northwest Region will talk about the development and new approach of the THRIVE program. Kathleen Nickel, Director of Communications at Mercy Hospital in Roseburg will give a short presentation: You’re National News – Now What? How Mercy Hospital in Roseburg handled media during its recent community’s crisis.
 
The fee (including lunch) is $20 for members; $30 for nonmembers.  Register early! Contact Bela Friedman at belaf@earthlink.net  or call 503-848-3640.
 
 
JOIN A COMMITTEE
If you're interested in helping us meet our goals, networking and getting your name out to Oregon's health care community, there's no better way than getting involved with HCO. By serving on one of our many committees, you'll have a chance to contribute to the shape and future of the premier health care communications organization in Oregon. You will also develop personal and professional contacts that will last a lifetime.
 
If you are concerned about the time commitment, don't be. Committees don't require a lot of time but are very important to our organization. Committee opportunities include:
 
Programming   Would you like to help with program topics, book speakers, work with caterers or help at events? Contact Angie Dilkes at dilkes@pacwestcom.com
 
Newsletter   Do you have writing skills you'd like to share? Our e-newsletter always needs reporters and writers. Contact Hannah Clegg at clegghe@ah.org
 
Publicity   Help us get the word out to the media and other organizations about HCO's educational meetings and special events. Contact Bela Friedman at belaf@earthlink.net
 
Membership   Do you like meeting new people? Help us recruit new members, and have the opportunity to greet members and guests at meetings and special events. Contact Tom Eiland at tome@cfmpdx.com
 
Awards Event   Get involved with helping to create the first annual awards event that showcases Oregon's best in health care communications. Contact Bela Friedman at belaf@earthlink.net
 
Sponsorship   Help recruit sponsors to support HCO meetings and events. Contact Bela Friedman at belaf@earthlink.net
 
 
NEW MEMBER OF THE MONTH: Angi Dilkes
Organization: Pac/West Communications
Role: Vice President; Government Affairs
Health Care Connection: Lobbyist for Coalition for a Healthy Oregon (Managed Care Organizations charged with implementing the Oregon Health Plan).
Background: Started interning for a lobbyist during the 1997 Legislative Session as a sophomore in college; registered lobbyist since 2001.
Biggest Health Care Communications Challenge: Getting the message out to policymakers that while the Medicaid delivery system faces serious challenges, the Oregon Health Plan in its entirety is not broken. 
Greatest Professional Passion: Finding new and different ways to express my clients’ views and advocate on their behalf.
Most Recent Read: The Known World by Edward P. Jones
 
 
JOB OPENING
The Oregon Asthma Program is currently accepting applications for an Evaluation Project Manager. This is a temporary 6-month position. The position is full-time (40 hours per week), with the possibility of part-time and flexible work hours. For more information, contact Karen Main, manager of the Oregon Asthma Program at karen.e.main@state.or.us
 
 
MEMBERS IN THE NEWS
Southwest Washington Medical Center -- SWMC hosts a topping-off ceremony to mark the progress of their $146 million expansion project. Read more... 
 
Adventist Medical Center -- AMC opens Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Medicine program. Read more...
 
 
BE FEATURED IN THE NEWSLETTER!
Do you have news for HCO members? Do you have ideas for member of the month or the organizational profile? Would you like to post a job opening? Has your company done something newsworthy recently? Contact Hannah Clegg at clegghe@ah.org to submit your information in the HCO newsletter.