Telehealth Alliance of Oklahoma (TAO) Meeting Minutes 4/9/2014
Attendance: Steve Casady, Monty Evans, Pam Forducey, Sandra Harrison, Lane Hooton, Adolf Maren, Patrick McGinnis, Jack Sappenfield, Candace Shaw, Robin Wilson, Sallie McLaughlin, Sherri Snyder, Debi Sovereign
Welcome/Opening Remarks – Ms. Shaw welcomed all those in attendance. The meeting began at 10:05 am.
Review of minutes: Minutes from the March 12, 2014 meeting were distributed. Motion made by Ms. Forducey to accept the minutes, seconded by Mr. Sappenfield, motion carried unanimously.
Treasurer Report: Ms. Shaw presented the treasurer report. Motion was made by Mr. Hooton to accept the minutes, seconded by Mr. Sappenfield. Ms. Shaw reported that the treasurer, Melinda Davis, had to quit her position due to a life change. Ms. Shaw said Ms. Davis’ service has been very appreciated.
EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATION:
Dr. James Mold, Research Division Director, Family Medicine, the University of Oklahoma Health Science Center, presented on the County Health Improvement Organizations (CHIOs). CHIOs were based on the Turning Point initiative, but are formal 501(c)3 organizations. Once certified, they can become part of a primary healthcare extension system and have County Improvement Plans to help them prioritize actions.
An example of a primary health extension resource is the Oklahoma Primary Healthcare Improvement Center. The purpose of this center is to help with Quality Improvement. There are multiple partners in this institute – the purpose is to get research into practice. They help connect successful practices with other practices to share knowledge.
Twenty counties currently have CHIOs. Each CHIO identifies a major health issue to address in their county. Telemedicine is primarily used for mental health with CHIOs.
OLD BUSINESS
Membership Directory – The membership form is now active on the TAO website. Two members have submitted their information and are listed on the service directory. All members are again encouraged to fill out the form and submit it, even if currently a member, so we can build profile sheets for all members.
Future featured partners: INTEGRIS for May and ODMHSAS for June.
NEW BUSINESS
Legislation and Agency Rulemaking Update: Sandra Harrison, Oklahoma Hospital Association (OHA), gave an update on legislation related to telehealth. There are a few bills still being tracked including HB 2977 – and SB1389 which have identical language and deal with the modification of definitions of not-for-profit and of hospital. Robin Hall addressed HB 2974 – Mental Health for universal service funds.
Healthcare Connect Fund. Candace Shaw reported it is moving forward. Materials are completed to be distributed. TAO is getting several inquiries about the consortium.
2014 Oklahoma Telemedicine Conference: The Oklahoma Telemedicine Conference will be October 16, 2014. The Samis Conference Center has been secured for the event. Mr. Evans updated the group on the Poster and Presentation Committee is made up of Mickie Post, Monty Evans, Peggy Turner, and Jana Castleberry. The form and instructions are completed and have been distributed to the TAO mailing list. Mr. Evans requested people forward the email to anyone that might be interested in submitting an abstract. The deadline for abstract submission is August 8, 2014.
Ms. Forducey related that speakers were being approached but not yet secured for the conference. Ms. Shaw is working on sponsorship for CME and is close to having the commitment. This will be the first year CME will be offered at the conference.
Board Member Update: Ms. Forducey, Governance Chair, related that we will post communication that a board position is open and we can bring a recommendation forward. A board governance committee will be convened. Candace Shaw asked for a message to be sent to all for a board member and a treasurer. Treasurer must be a board member.
Miscellaneous: The TAO website has a Service Directory tab now. Two TAO members are currently listed. Ms. Shaw urged the group to fill out forms so we can get more information posted.
TAO and Heartland Telehealth Resource Center will have a table at the Nuts and Bolts Telehealth Conference on May 9, 2014 and at the Oklahoma Public Health Association Conference May 9-10.
There was an Oklahoma Health Improvement Plan Workforce Taskforce summit in March. This was a productive day with about 60 attendees. Telehealth was often mentioned as a part of the solution and will be included in the state plan.
Sandra Harrison mentioned that many legislators, especially from urban areas of Oklahoma, still do not know what telehealth/telemedicine is. We will need to have a presence at as many functions as we can with an easy definition. TAO will also have a Telehealth Day at the Capitol in February 2015.
Upcoming TAO meetings at ODMHSAS Conference Room from 10:00 to noon:
May 14, 2014 – ODMHSAS - conference call #405-521-4496, Code 826650
June 11, 2014 - ODMHSAS - conference call #405-521-4496, Code 725766