The annual FAH Conference has become a place to hear policymakers and share best practices
Even a major snow storm couldn’t put a damper on the Federation of American Hospitals’ (FAH) 2014 Public Policy Conference and Business Exposition, held in March in Washington, DC. Labeled the “number one group purchasing meeting to attend,” the event did not disappoint, as attendees took advantage of the meeting’s business and networking opportunities and were treated to speeches from several prominent policymakers, including a keynote address by General Michael Hayden, former director of the CIA and NSA.
U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) delivered his first healthcare policy speech since being named chairman of the Senate Finance Committee less than a month before. Other speakers included U.S. Senators Roy Blunt (R-MO) and Patrick J. Toomey (R-PA), as well as Marilyn Tavenner, administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
“Holding our meeting in Washington allows us to feature several of Capitol Hill’s most authoritative leaders and health care policymakers,” says FAH president and chief executive officer Chip Kahn. “It also allows senior management from our member companies to meet with members of Congress and many GPO executives.”
This year’s meeting included educational workshops covering the topics of capital equipment, pharmacy, supply chain, purchased services, and national accounts. The meeting also featured a RoundTable Discussion for suppliers with $75 million or less in annual healthcare sales, and numerous networking opportunities.
“In spite of the inclement weather, our educational sessions achieved their highest attendance to date,” says Doug Wiegel, director of corporate accounts of Spacelabs Healthcare and the longest tenured member of the FAH Exposition Advisory Committee. “This year we added the Purchased Services Workshop, which led to increased attendance from suppliers providing product and services within this growing category.”
The FAH conference was “a great opportunity for suppliers to spend quality time with the respective GPOs, IDNs, and other buying groups to identify further areas of collaboration, and to drive value for our mutual customers,” says Ed Jones, president and chief executive officer of HealthTrust and an FAH Exposition Advisory Committee member.
The FAH presented its 2014 Corris Boyd Leadership and Diversity Award to Toni Silva, director of supplier relations at Pittsburgh, Pa.-based UPMC.
“Toni received the award for her outstanding work in leadership and promoting of diversity,” says Dennis Daar, managing partner of Medical Strategies International, LLC and the 2013-2014 chair of the FAH Exposition Advisory Committee. “Toni’s passion and involvement in promoting diversity was far beyond the requirement of her position at UPMC,” he adds.
The award is given in memory of the late Corris Boyd, an early champion of leadership and diversity during his time with HCA and Triad Hospitals.
Attendees at the 2014 FAH Conference also said farewell to Bonnie Moneypenny, senior vice president of administrative services, who retired after 21 years of service to the FAH.
“Under Bonnie’s leadership, we were able to make many positive changes to the format of the FAH Conference including building service centers for the providers (Buying Groups) in place of the traditional supplier booths,” says Daar.
Kerry Price is succeeding Moneypenny as FAH senior vice president of administrative services.
“Our upcoming 2015 Annual Public Policy Conference and Business Exposition will build upon the successes of previous meetings and feature several of the nation’s most notable Congressional leaders and policymakers offering unparalleled insight and expertise in an innovative business setting,” says Price.
The 2015 Conference is scheduled for March 1-3 at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C.
Adds Price, “It is a must-attend meeting that you will not want to miss! The networking and educational opportunities afforded are second to none.”
To learn more about the annual FAH Conference or FAH Associate Membership, call Kerry Price, Senior Vice President at 724-934-0044 or go to www.fah.org.