Over the course of 2 weeks, in addition to the two Ambassadors and the Surgeons’ General Panel, we listened to 46 faculty members with years of professional experience in their respective fields and from a wide array of organizations. The biographies, which were impressive, for the speakers and the reading materials were provided prior to the sessions. It helped to be prepared by reviewing the materials to engage in the discussions and absorb the experiences shared.
The speakers offered enough information to soak up, answered questions, and offered to provide additional information through E-mail. The Ambassadors,’ congressional and executive level presentations were particularly interesting to me because of the global impact, and the use of science and performance to direct policy and management. The presentations reiterated how much we disregard and the need to maintain cognizance of the historically events that impact our lives and health care today and the future.
As a motive to provide opportunity to share experience, successes, dialogue, and debate, the participants were divided into four groups for the class exercises. The groups were assigned into the small work groups and prepared a paper and presentation to the class. The assignments were on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the National Naval Medical Center and Walter Reed Army Medical Center merge, the Palestinian-Israel peace brief, and the trends in health care and implications on TRICARE in 2013. The summaries were presented on the last day, September 24, 2010 and were published in the Institute’s newsletter The Record.
I felt the Institute meant its goals. I would like to extend my appreciation to all involved in my selection to participate in the Institute. The Institute allowed an opportunity to network with other health care executives and professionals, share successes and challenges, and make lasting friendship.
Corps officers in the 118th Interagency Institute for Federal Health Care Executives from left to right. CAPTs Christine Benally, Brad Austin, and Nita Sood, and CDRs Lou Ann Rector and Elizabeth Yuan.
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HHS, Office of Public Health and Science |