OCS Conference Funding Submission

Event Photo:

Financial Management and Operations (Networking)

Achieving Health Equity: Integrating Social Care into Health Care Delivery at an Integrated Academic Health System

Hall of Fame Inductee, Bernard J. Tyson, Former Chairman and CEO, Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc. and Hospitals

Name: C. Sandra Okafor

Degree Program: ONLINE MASTER OF HEALTH ADMINISTRATION

Specialization:

Conference Host Organization/Institution: American College of Healthcare Executives

Conference/Competition Name: Congress on Healthcare Leadership

Conference Term: Spring Conference Start Date: 2021-03-22 Conference End Date: 2021-03-25

What were your takeaways from this conference/case competition?
At the virtual Congress on Healthcare Leadership, I joined 9,100+ healthcare leaders to discuss the challenges of the past year, gain new solutions, celebrate accomplishments, and connect. I learned to reimagine healthcare, solutions, and leadership. “What can I do to progress my organization?” To achieve health equity, as a leader in an integrated academic medical center, I must facilitate discussions/initiatives that expand social care integration efforts in healthcare delivery. The pandemic uncovered the remote-work flexibility of administrative staff and highlighted need for wider patient catchment areas to sustain pediatric volumes. I even gained negotiation skills as a woman healthcare leader.

How will your participation in this conference/case competition support your professional development?
The Congress on Healthcare Leadership was an opportunity for I as a healthcare professional to join others for open dialogue and exchange of ideas. I got the unique opportunity to explore functions in healthcare outside of my immediate job responsibilities. For example, I learned about leadership agility in leveraging APPs to successfully navigate the COVID-19 pandemic and future health crises. Or, designing innovative team-based care models. Further, through my participation, I was able to earn ACHE Face-to-Face and Qualified Education credits that will count toward my pursuit to become board certified in healthcare management as an ACHE Fellow.

What are some next steps or action items this conference/case competition inspired?
In a session on women healthcare leadership, I gained useful negotiation skills that will aid me as I advance from the Online MHA program after conferral this September. I will be more aware of my non-negotiables along the interview trail and the boundaries and balance I will need to implement and how to implement them on the job. I look forward to leading a team in my next role and have gained invaluable leadership advice that will help to server as a force to effect change in productive ways.

What are some tips or best practices that you would like to share with other Wagner students who attend a conference/case competition?
Be an active participant in each session attended because conferences/case competition contain a rich volume of information that you will want to keep handy for your professional development and industry impact. Take notes during presentations; research recipients of awards and their impact on the industry; engage in networking opportunities; share your experiences and glean best practices from others.

Wagner Areas of Impact: Education, Finance, Government, Health, Leadership