Minnesota Hospital Association

Newsroom

February 05, 2018

MHA Newsline: Feb. 5, 2018

In this issue 

Essentia Health helps community members access healthy food options

Essentia Health supports farmers markets in Northeast Minnesota to increase food dollars for low-income residents who are Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants through an EBT-matching program. The Lincoln Park Farmers Market and the Hilltop Market in Duluth, as well as the Virginia Square Market, accept EBT from SNAP users as a form of payment and provide a one-to-one match of up to $15 per day. Hunger Solutions Minnesota, a hunger relief organization, provides the first $10 of the match and Essentia Health contributes the remaining $5. Last year, Essentia’s matching contributions totaled approximately $5,000.   

The benefit of the match program is twofold: low-income customers are able to stretch their food assistance dollars to purchase healthy, local foods and producers are fairly compensated for their goods. This helps to build stronger, more inclusive communities.   

During the last farmer’s market season, SNAP participants used $4,880 from their EBT cards at farmers markets in Duluth and Virginia, resulting in $10,046 circulated into the local farm economy. At the Lincoln Park Farmers Market, there were more than 100 new SNAP participants this year. A survey conducted at the Lincoln Park Market found that 42 percent of customers used an EBT card, 72 percent indicated that they had been introduced to new foods and 91 percent thought their health was impacted positively by the market.   

Visit the MHA website to learn more and read the full Community Benefit Reportreturn to top   

MHA Healthcare Leadership Institute to be held March 7-9

The MHA Healthcare Leadership Institute, themed “Health Care in Transition,” will be held March 7-9 at the Crowne Plaza Minneapolis West in Plymouth. For more information or to register download the conference brochure or visit MHA’s website. Reserve accommodations online.   

Health care consultant Jonathan H. Burroughs will open the conference with his presentation, “Strategies for Rural Health Care Organizations to Succeed,” which will provide a look at how rural facilities can not only embrace disruptive innovation but also successfully make it the center of a new delivery and business strategy. During a second presentation, “Consumer-Driven Health Care — Are You Ready?” Burroughs will discuss what executives and physicians must do to prepare for and support consumer-driven health care and why service will be the great differentiator. He will share key elements that make up world-class service in health care.   

Futurist Ron Galloway’s presentation, “The Disrupters: How Amazon, Google and CVS Plan to Change the Face of Health Care,” will examine how the three giants are leveraging their existing frameworks into health care as they turn to data and digital health and discuss their plans for our health care delivery system.  

The Minnesota Board of Examiners for Nursing Home Administrators (MN BENHA) has approved the content of this Institute for 14.25 clock hours. return to top   

Nominate your hospital or program for a 2018 MHA Award

Nominations due Friday, March 9
Is your hospital a best Minnesota workplace? Do you have an innovative patient safety program or exemplary caregiver who deserves recognition? If so, consider submitting a nomination for MHA’s annual awards program. For more than 30 years, the MHA Awards have celebrated outstanding work by Minnesota hospitals and health systems and we want to honor you.   

MHA award categories recognize excellence involving community health, best workplace, and patient care, for example. Honors for individuals recognize trustees, volunteers, hospital executives, caregivers and public officials. Additional information on the categories and judging criteria can be found on MHA’s website.   

Entries are due by Friday, March 9; find the entry form online.   

MHA will notify all entrants whether they have won in mid-April. A reception and dinner will take place Friday, June 1, at the Metropolitan Ballroom in suburban Minneapolis. All MHA members and associate members are invited and encouraged to attend the awards ceremony. Mark your calendars and plan to join us for this celebration of excellence in Minnesota health care.   

For more information, contact Sarah Bohnet, visual communications specialist, MHA, 651-603-3494. return to top

-->