RYAN Associates is thrilled to announce that Emily Friedman, an independent health policy and ethics analyst, will be the keynote speaker at the 26th annual conference in Chicago this October. Ms. Friedman, based in Chicago, is a prolific writer, lecturer, and analyst in health policy and ethics. She has contributed to various publications, including Hospitals & Health Networks and the Journal of the American Medical Association.
With over 800 articles and editorials, as well as several authored and edited books on healthcare, Ms. Friedman has garnered numerous awards and honors, including being named an honorary life member of the American Hospital Association and the American Medical Association. She is also a Fellow of Academy Health and an honorary lifetime fellow of the American Academy of Medical Administrators.
As a dynamic public speaker, Ms. Friedman has been recognized among the top five speakers in healthcare by Speaking.com for the past two years. She has also appeared on Modern Healthcare’s list of the 100 most powerful people in healthcare for three consecutive years.
In an interview, Ms. Friedman provided a preview of what NAOHP members can expect from her keynote address:
Q: What are some of the realities facing occupational health professionals today? A: Occupational health professionals must justify their existence and articulate that their role goes beyond basic services. They need to demonstrate the value they bring, emphasizing that it’s not just about routine tasks.
Q: How can occupational health justify its existence? A: While occupational health is crucial for workforce reintegration and providing purpose to individuals, the profession needs to make a stronger case for itself. Demonstrating outcomes, measurements, and collaboration with other areas, such as physical therapy, is essential.
Q: Where are the opportunities for occupational health under healthcare reform? A: There are significant opportunities, particularly in integrated care. Occupational health should advocate for continuity of care across acute and chronic disease management. However, caution is advised regarding the overselling of accountable care organizations.
Q: How can the profession show its value to payers? A: Occupational health must engage in rigorous self-evaluation and monitoring, focusing on outcomes. Collaborating with other healthcare areas to help individuals achieve and maintain optimal functioning is crucial.
Q: What other trends do you see in healthcare? A: Healthcare lacks a real commitment to keeping people healthy, and there is a growing challenge with chronic diseases in a system geared toward episodic treatment. The system needs to evolve to address the continuum of social and medical care, especially considering the increasing prevalence of chronic conditions in an aging population.
This issue of VISIONS went to press before the Supreme Court’s landmark decision on the constitutionality of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010. For updated information and reactions to the decision and its implications for occupational health, please visit www.naohp.com.
