Category: Health Care Current Events

30 Apr

KC Health Care Leaders To Businesses: “Be Prepared For The Future”…By Jacob Wayman

Written by Jean Hansen 0 Comments

Jacob WaymanPost written by Jacob Wayman, Project Manager, Corporate Medicine & Wellness Division, KCIM

I recently had the opportunity to listen to a few of Kansas City’s top health care leaders at an area event and they had one clear message for area business leaders:

“Be prepared for the future.”

With many changes quickly approaching, the Affordable Care Act should be seen as an opportunity for change and a way to diversify yourself from your competition.

Our population is getting unhealthier by the minute and the cost of health care is increasing by the second. We need to take action.

Organizational leaders need to first acknowledge that many of their employees are unhealthy and that maintaining the status quo is a death sentence to the company and, most importantly, to their employees.

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06 Apr

Zero Trend – A Terrific Health Care Economic Conversation

Written by Lori Mallory 0 Comments

Post written by Lori A. Mallory, CEO, Kansas City Internal Medicine

On Tuesday of last week, March 27th (and also my late Grandfather’s birthday- LOVE that guy!), Kansas City had the opportunity to listen to one of the nation’s thought leaders on health care and the economic realities our nation is experiencing.

Dr. Dee Edington, formerly with the University of Michigan and now in his own consulting company, has spent the last 35 years of his life focused on this issue. His commentary is both in your face and refreshing or, as he put it:  DISRUPTIVE.

Our nation is faced with a challenge to make better choices in healthy living or face a most certain crisis as it relates to the impossible cost of paying for the majority of Americans being overweight and frought with the diseases such as Diabetes, Hyperlipedimea (High Cholesterol), and Hypertension (High Blood Pressure), as well as others.

His now famous book, “ZERO TRENDS”, outlines the fact that if we could “just not get sicker” and focus on staying healthy then we would have “zero trend” in our economic spend as it relates to health care.

He urged us to realize that what we have done in this past century has brought us nowhere as “fewer people are well now than in the 1950s.”  We have focused on a health care system built to pay for the results of disease and illness, rather than focusing on keeping our community “well”.

I loved this comment in regard to employers incenting smokers to stop smoking: “What if we paid all of the non-smokers the $100 incentive and let the smokers figure it out.”  The change in thinking is indeed disruptive and quite frankly it makes good sense to me.

Even at Kansas City Internal Medicine we have had weight loss incentive programs, but I don’t believe we’ve ever incented those who are staying healthy and not gaining weight…. what a refreshing idea!  That comment alone was worth his speaking fee and you could see the wheels start turning in the audience.

Dr. Edington encouraged a “new level of thinking” to take place and for the integration of health into the environment and culture of all work places. “Setting an expectation of health” as a leader is a metric that asks “Would everyone in your company know that health and wellness are a key part of your mission/vision for your employees?”

We are all charged with thinking about how we can keep our families healthy, “not get sicker”, and do our part in ensuring our nation’s economic security is in place. As I wrote this, another thought struck me: I wonder what the service men and women who have served our country to protect it think about that Americans, due to our indulgence, scarred our ability to provide and take care of our own people by creating an unmanageable financial situation.  Something to think about…

27 Feb

The YMCA: Passionate People & VISIONS Are Contagious

Written by Lori Mallory 0 Comments

Post written by Lori Mallory, CEO of Kansas City Internal Medicine 

I wanted to share with you someone and something great going on in Kansas City!

We are fortunate to have a new leader in town (Well, he’s been here for over a year now, but still new enough!)…David Byrd, President and CEO of the YMCA. What you might not know is that the “Y”, with it’s “Swim and Gym” traditional focus, is transforming itself in order to better meet the needs of a changing community. Their vision and rebranding includes achievement in three major categories:

1.)                Youth Development

2.)                Healthy Living

3.)                Social Responsibility

While all are tremendous and important missions, I want to focus on the Healthy Living initiative. Their goal includes expanding the Healthy Living Centers concept into the Kansas City area as they have already in other major markets. These centers expand on their current business model, and have the goal of being a central focus in building a healthier community.

Their medically integrated programming along with a focus on prevention, restoration and rehabilitation, will be a tremendous addition to our city.  You can find out more at www.ymcahealthylivingcenter.com. While you are there, check out the LIVESTRONG partnership that meets a unique need on its own! 

Unless you have not been paying attention (which I doubt you would be reading this blog if you weren't), our nation is in a critical situation with a continued rise in obesity, diabetes, and all around poor health. These community centers, located in strategic areas around Kansas City, will fill an important need to improving our health. To top it off, the facilities will be state of the art and FUN! 

If you haven’t already jumped to the “Y’s” healthy living website, do that now!  I promise you’ll learn something new and be reminded of the great work being done in Kansas City!