Our day started bright and early at the Neighborhood Health Clinic.  The presentations started in style with a national healthcare overview by Michael Canning, National Managing Director of Deloitte Consulting U.S. Strategy and Operations Practice. Class XV team member Earl Reed followed with a Collier County Assessment.

The next group of speakers drilled down into 3 distinct perspectives on the local healthcare scene. Paul Jones, MD, another Class XV team member, gave a stirring description of the challenges of the primary care medical practitioner amidst the current health care crisis.  This was followed by a nursing home perspective, presented by Daniel J. Lavender, CEO of Moorings Park. Finally NCH Pharmacist Vanessa Mitchell, R.PH explained her role in the health care system.

After a spirited panel discussion, the group moved onto health care for the under and uninsured. I gave a brief overview of the CHS Healthcare system, including a preview of our exciting new identity. This was followed by a stirring presentation by the team of Nancy Lascheid and Nina Gray, which underscored why the Neighborhood Health Clinic is such a gem in our community.  After a tour of the facility, the group headed to the Downtown NCH campus for lunch at the Garden of Hope and Courage.

After a wonderful lunch buffet on a perfect Naples day, Amy Lane, the Garden’s CEO, explained how a little used duck pond was transformed into this spectacular garden.  The class split into groups to walk off lunch on a grand tour of the NCH facility.  Upon conclusion of the hour-long tour, the group settled in for the afternoon program.

James Roosevelt, CEO of the Tufts Health Plan and Grandson of FDR, explained the politics and economics of healthcare.  Allen Weiss gave a short presentation highlighting NCH, followed by the new CEO of Physician’s Regional, Scott Campbell. A lively, yet polite panel discussion and Q & A, followed by a wrap up of the day’s events, concluded at the beachside bar at the Naples Beach Club.

The general consensus was that the day went so well that our leader Alex Anderson could not think of a single thing that could have been improved. Credit goes to my awesome teammates, Earl Reed, Dr. Paul Jones, and particularly Davey Scoon, who brought Mr. Canning and Mr. Roosevelt to Naples just to speak to Class XVI!

Photo of Dr. Jones, Class XV Session Leader and Class XVI members by Carol Jonson

Steve Weinman

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