Minnesota Hospital Association

Newsroom

September 22, 2014

MHA Newsline: Sept. 22, 2014

In this issue 

Tuesday is National Falls Prevention Awareness Day 

Member news: Lakeview Hospital names new president 

ClearWay Minnesota seeks proposals from health systems to address tobacco use 

Minnesota Medical Association campaign recognizes Inspiring Physicians   

Tuesday is National Falls Prevention Awareness Day

Falls are the leading cause of injury-related deaths in Minnesota, ahead of suicide, overdose and motor vehicle accidents and result in an estimated $777 million in health care costs annually for inpatient care. National Falls Prevention Awareness Day takes place Tuesday, Sept. 23 and aims to raise awareness about how to prevent fall-related injuries among older adults.  

Minnesota hospitals have made fall and fall-injury prevention a top priority. Through the Leading Edge Advanced Practice Topics (LEAPT) hospitals, long-term care, clinics, the community and others are collaborating to identify individuals at risk for falling and refer them to appropriate services to receive evidence-based care. The aim is to support older adults in staying active and independent and improving strength, balance and fitness, to lessen their risk of falling. 

Gov. Dayton has issued a proclamation and additional resources to observe the day are available on the National Council on Aging website

There is a pre-conference session about the community-wide effort at the Minnesota Alliance for Patient Safety annual conference, Oct. 22. To learn more about Minnesota hospital efforts to prevent falls and injuries from falls, contact Julie Apold, senior director of patient safety, 651-603-3538. return to top   

Member news: Lakeview Hospital names new president

Lakeview Hospital in Stillwater has named Theodore (Ted) Wegleitner as its new president. Wegleitner joined HealthPartners family of care in 1987 and has held senior leadership positions in surgical services, business, education and health promotion. 

His career includes serving as director of Park Nicollet’s HealthSource, a health promotion program for employers, vice president of Surgical Services, at Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital and Park Nicollet’s Ambulatory Surgery Center and most recently as president and chief operating officer at TRIA Orthopaedic Center. 

Wegleitner holds a Masters in Business Administration from the University of St. Thomas, and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Minnesota. He serves on the boards of TRIA Orthopaedic Center, Minneapolis School of Anesthesia, Normandale Community College Foundation, and Westfields Hospital and is a member of the Association of Health Care Executives and American Association of Orthopaedic Executives. 

Wegleitner succeeds Curt Geissler who retired in July 2014. return to top   

ClearWay Minnesota seeks proposals from health systems to address tobacco use

ClearWay Minnesota is currently seeking proposals from Minnesota health systems to enhance their ability to address tobacco use. The focus of this funding opportunity is to advance health systems change to ensure that tobacco dependence treatment is fully integrated into the continuum of health care delivery. 

This RFP includes integration of tobacco dependence treatment within a health system that provides either primary care, specialty care or both. Specialty care clinics and services may include, but are not limited to behavioral health, dental, pediatric or hospital services. 

Links to the full RFP along with the required forms for submitting a Letter of Intent can be found here. Letters of Intent are due Tuesday, Oct. 14 by 4:30 p.m. Qualified applicants will be invited to submit a full application. Full applications are due Friday, Dec. 5, by 4:30 p.m.   Optional informational webinars will be held on Sept. 26 from noon-1 p.m. and on Sept. 29 from 10-11 a.m. Registration information can be found in the RFP.  

Questions about this funding opportunity can be directed to Megan Whittet, ClearWay Minnesota senior cessation manager, 952-767-1415. return to top   

Minnesota Medical Association campaign recognizes Inspiring Physicians

The Minnesota Medical Association has launched a campaign to shine the spotlight on physicians who go above and beyond their regular work of treating patients, researching disease or educating physicians in training. The campaign, Inspiring Physicians, recognizes Minnesota Medical Association members who inspire the profession. If you know of a physician who deserves recognition, consider nominating him or her. Contact Dan Hauser at Minnesota Medical Association. return to top