Catalyzing Change

On Tuesday, October 8, 2024, the Independence Blue Cross Foundation held a Health Equity and Health Workforce event, bringing together national experts and leaders in healthcare, education, government, and community, exploring strategies and solutions for shaping the future health workforce. The day-long event showcased initiatives and innovations that are expanding opportunities and improving outcomes for individuals and communities across the country.
Hosted by Independence Blue Cross Foundation and sponsored by AMN Healthcare Language Services, Carmichael Lynch, Brian Communications, Vynamic Inizio Advisory, Thomas Jefferson University, Penn Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, BE Fit Well Restored, West Chester University College of Health Sciences, Holy Family University, Widener University, Saint Joseph’s University, Bucks County Community College, Urban Affairs Coalition, Temple University College of Public Health, and Villanova Nursing the event didn’t disappoint.
The iconic exuberant Lorina Marshall-Blake, President of IBX Foundation, said, “The future health workforce is imperative to healthcare delivery, promoting health equity, and meeting the evolving needs of patients and communities. It’s essential for funders, government, businesses, community organizations, and organizational institutions to work together on solutions.”
This event sparked much-needed conversations that continue around topics such as Health Equity and the Health Workforce: A Public Health Imperative, National Prospective: Successful Programs, and Sustained Progress. Serving Country and Community: Expanding Pathways for Military Veterans, Nurturing the Next Generation of Nurses, The Health and Healthcare of People with Intellectual Developmental Disabilities (IDD), presented by Shane Janick, MPH, Executive Director of the Arc of Philadelphia. Janick’s presentation was starkly different in that “he lives it” caring daily for his high-functioning brother, who has IDD and was there to cheer him on. Orienting Systems and Practices with Patients and Populations, moderated by Kelly Ganesan, Strategic Advisor, Health, Equity and Innovation, Closing Opportunity Gaps; Relationship-based Talent Solutions at Penn Medicine, moderated by Nikki Pumphrey, Vice President of Talent and Workforce, The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia, Promoting Equitable Access to Care, moderated by Dan Gorenstein, Founder and Executive Editor, Tradeoffs, Beyond the Checklist: How Students Can Build, Lead and Innovate, presented by Angela Udongwo, Temple University College of Medicine, M4 Student and Co-Founder of Aspiring Physician Executives (APEx), High School to Healthcare: Bloomberg Philanthropies, National Healthcare High School Initiative (A Fireside Chat) featuring Joanne McCool, MSOD, ACC, SHRM-CP, Vice President of Human Resources Operations, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Saliyah Cruz, EdD Chief Equity Officer, Mastery Charter Schools, and From Chasing My Cure to Unlocking Every Cure, presented by David Fajgenbaum, MD, MBA, MSc Associate Professor of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Co-Founder and President, Every Cure.
I found the topics spot on, and all the information provided at this event helpful and most relevant, offering insight into solutions to solving 21st-century issues confronting our healthcare systems. Living with the Autoimmune Disease Lupus and having to navigate advocating for myself through a healthcare system that’s vast and seems disconnected at times, I’ve learned that no one person, agency, doctor, or organization holds all the answers, but coming together in forums such as this give us a much better perspective on approaches to solving healthcare issues in the future.
“The IBX Foundation is committed to expanding opportunities within the workforce,” said Heather Major, Executive Director of the IBX Foundation.“IBX Foundation nursing initiatives are growing the nursing workforce, promoting diversity in the nursing profession, and increasing clinical and community nursing skills to meet the evolving needs of our communities and nation.”