In this issue
Member
spotlight: Laura Beeth earns MHA Health Care Career Promotion Award
Laura Beeth, system director of talent management/system human
resources for Fairview Health Services in Minneapolis, received the 2015 Health
Care Career Promotion Award from the Minnesota Hospital Association (MHA).
Laura is a passionate and visionary leader who has worked for the past 25 years
to strengthen Minnesota's health care workforce.
Laura's impact regarding all aspects of workforce development go far beyond the
walls of Fairview Health Services. She is the current state chair of the
Governor's Workforce Development Council and Minnesota State Colleges and
Universities Healthcare Education-Industry Partnership Council. She is a
strategic and loyal partner and is involved in many external organizations
dedicated to Minnesota's health care workforce.
From her support of programs like Scrubs Camp, which provides a unique
opportunity for middle and high school students to explore careers in health
sciences to Minnesota Future Doctors, Laura works tirelessly to ensure a strong
future interest in health care-related careers. Learn more about the MHA awards
on MHA’s website. return to top
MDH MERC grant applications due Oct. 31
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is accepting Medical
Education and Research Costs (MERC) grant applications for clinical training
provided in fiscal year 2014 though Minnesota teaching institutions with
accredited teaching programs providing clinical training for advanced practice
nursing, clinical social workers, community health workers, community
paramedics, dental students/residents, dental therapists/advanced dental
therapists, chiropractic students, medical students/residents, pharmacy
students/residents, physician assistants and psychologists. MERC grant
applications will be accepted until 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31.
Programs wishing to apply for a grant must submit their application through
their sponsoring institution. A sponsoring institution may be a hospital,
school or consortium that supports accredited teaching programs. These
sponsoring institutions typically provide funding and accounting for the
programs. Applications submitted by any entity other than a sponsoring
institution will not be accepted. Grant application materials can be found
on MDH’s website. With questions, contact Diane Reger,
651-201-3566. return to top
DHS provides ICD-10 updates
On July 6, Minnesota Health Care Programs (MHCP) opened its
online, secure portal, MN–ITS, for Acceptance Test (ATST) ICD-10 testing.
External testing is available to all enrolled MHCP providers, but it is not
required. Refer to the MHCP ICD-10 website for the following:
- Information about ICD-10 and provider testing
- The MHCP ICD-10 End-to-End Testing Companion Guide (PDF),
which includes instructions for connecting with the MN–ITS ATST
environment and guidelines for submitting test files
- Frequently asked questions about MHCP ICD-10 readiness
- Other helpful resources
The interim-payment methodology for ICD-10 inpatient hospital
rates will be available for testing in September 2015. MHCP will notify
providers with specific testing dates in August. Refer to the Payment Methodology for Inpatient Hospitals website for
ongoing information about the transition to APR-DRG methodology. MHCP will
update the page this month with information about interim payment rates. return to top
Broadband
grant program webinar Aug. 31
The Minnesota Office of Broadband Development will host a
webinar on the 2015 Border-to-Border Broadband Development Grant program to
discuss the application process and answer any questions. The webinar will take
place Monday, Aug. 31, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The grant program funds the build-out of infrastructure to promote the
expansion of broadband service to areas of Minnesota that are unserved or
underserved. It was established by the 2014 Minnesota Legislature to assist
with costly broadband deployment projects that might not occur without public
financial assistance. In this 2015 grant round, $10.3 million is available.
Priority will be given to projects that leverage greater amounts of funding
from other private and public sources. The state grant limit per project is $5
million and cannot exceed 50 percent of the total eligible costs of the
project. Grant applications are due on Tuesday, Sept. 15. All grant
project work must be completed by June 30, 2017.
To register, email your contact information to Jane Leonard,
broadband grants administrator. You will be sent instructions for accessing the
webinar.
Learn more on the Minnesota Office of Broadband Development’s website. return to top
MDH
to hold medical cannabis community meetings
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Office of Medical
Cannabis has scheduled meetings around the state to offer members of the public
the opportunity to learn more about the state’s medical cannabis program.
Participants also will have the opportunity to provide input on the question of
adding intractable pain to the list of medical conditions that qualify people
to participate in the program. The meeting schedule is as follows:
For more information, visit MDH’s medical cannabis website. return to top
MDH offers newborn screening resources
Since 1965, the Minnesota Department of Health
(MDH) has screened Minnesota newborns soon after birth to see if they are at
risk for rare, hidden disorders. Interventions, medications or changes in diet
can help prevent most health problems caused by disorders on the newborn
screening panel.
Minnesota is a national leader in newborn screening. The Newborn Screening Program,
together with hospitals, laboratories and medical professionals across the
state, screens newborns for more than 50 disorders that affect metabolism,
hormones, the immune system, blood, breathing, digestion, hearing or the heart.
Visit MHA’s website for information on the
Newborn Screening Program, including education materials and a new infographic
outlining the screening process. In addition, learn more about the Newborn
Screening Program by visiting its booth at the Minnesota State Fair. Located in
the HealthFair 11 building at the corner of Dan Patch Ave. and Cooper St., the
booth will highlight the stories of Minnesota families for whom newborn
screening made a life-changing difference. return to top