In 2003 the West Virginia Medical Foundation received a grant from the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation to convene a statewide coalition comprised of business, education, healthcare, non-profit and government organizations to develop a collaborative effort to address the problem of obesity in the state. The group, called the West Virginia Healthy Lifestyle Coalition, compiled an action plan that charted a three year course for the state to follow. (click here to read) The group also provided policy recommendations to Governor Joe Manchin III that were incorporated into the West Virginia Healthy Lifestyle Act of 2005 (click here to read bill). This legislation established an Office of Healthy Lifestyles and a 13-member Coalition named the West Virginia Healthy Lifestyle Coalition that is chaired by First Lady Gayle Manchin. Because the legislation called for the establishment of a West Virginia Healthy Lifestyle Coalition, the original coalition changed its name to the Partnership for a Healthy West Virginia. The West Virginia Medical Foundation continues to faciliate the work of the Partnership for a Healthy West Virginia.
Health Information Technology Conference
West Virginia physicians, office managers and medical group managers gained practical information at a two-day CME-eligible conference titled “Improving Patient Care with Health Information Technology” June 15-16, 2007 at the Waterfront Place Hotel in Morgantown. The conference was jointly sponsored by the West Virginia Medical Foundation’s Center for Electronic Health Best Practices and the West Virginia University School of Medicine’s Office of Continuing Education.
“The focus of the conference was to provide physicians the opportunity to share their experiences in selecting and implementing health information technology into their practices,” said Michael O. Fidler, M.D., conference planning committee chairman. "For individuals who have yet to adopt an electronic health record system, the conference provided many resources to aid in the selection of a system, changes to workflow and how to optimize technology to improve patient care. In addition, there were opportunities for hands-on demonstrations and one-on-one consultations.”
Topics included an update on the West Virginia Health Information Network; a description of the West Virginia EHealth Initiative; and an update on the West Virginia University’s campus-wide health information technology system. Several speakers discussed outcomes improvement and quality measures utilizing health information technology. Also, sessions focused on selecting a system, installing a system and technical assistance needs. Another plenary session covered transitioning to an electronic office. Finally, a panel discussion centered on real life experiences in health information technology implementation. Click here for more information
Healthy
More than 250 individuals participated in the Healthy West Virginia Summit June 4-5, 2006 at the Charleston Embassy Suites hotel. The Summit was hosted by First Lady Gayle C. Manchin and the Partnership for a Healthy West Virginia
with support from the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation
Jointly sponsored by the CAMC Health Education and Research Institute
A Continuing Education Event
The Summit brought together grassroots community members, policymakers, healthcare professionals, educators, and individuals representing faith-based programs to learn about strategies and interventions that encourage healthy eating and increased physical activity.
Helen M. Matheny
West Virginia Medical Foundation
Chief Executive Officer
Helen@wvsma.com
Photos for this site have been provided by:
West Virginia Medical Foundation
West Virginia Division of Tourism
Doug Hylton of Ronceverte, WV