HealthCamp:Nash 2009

DJ Smith / Jun 1st / Comments

I know it’s been some time since I’ve blogged. I apologize to my readers, but Saturday, May 30, 2009, will be remembered as a fond day in the history of Talstone Group. That was the day we were able to bring HealthCamp:Nash to life for many professionals in the healthcare industry. We had people from all over the country speak on various topics within the healthcare spectrum. Whether it was Paul Meyer, Chairman of Voxiva, discussing how SMS technology is revolutionizing how healthcare is conducted in developing countries and in the U.S. or Dr. Jim Jirjis speaking about how My Health at Vanderbilt’s Web portal is altering the course of patient care and consumerism in healthcare for the better. We had distinguished panelists that discussed and debated issues like universal healthcare, transparency, accountability, and social media’s presence in healthcare. Individual presenters carried the bulk of the day with informative and entertaining presentations on topics such as healthcare reform, conflict resolution, EHRs, healthcare venture (even as it relates to China), healthcare marketing, and unified communications in healthcare, just to name a few.

While it was difficult to decide which presentations to attend, it was even harder to walk away without learning something new. The feedback that we received from attendees has been encouraging and inspirational as we look to HealthCamp:Nash 2010. We’ve learned some lessons and benefitted from success that this year’s event provided. We’ve made new friends and opened doors for colleagues that may not have happened had it not been for the event. We close the books on this HealthCamp:Nash 2009 with our heads held high knowing that we tried with all our might to affect a change in the healthcare industry if only in Nashville.

I would like to thank our fellow sponsors, including The Tennessee Technology Development Corporation, Coker Group, The Nashville Health Care Council, Emma, Vaco, Webb’s Refreshments and Blue Sky Productions. Without you the event wouldn’t have been such a success. I would like to express my appreciation for Paul Meyer of Voxiva and Dr. Jim Jirjis of My Health at Vanderbilt for agreeing to be our keynote speakers. In the same way I’d like to thank the Universal Healthcare panelists Brian Haile of Benefits Administration within Tennessee’s Department of Finance and Administration; Richard Cowart of Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell, & Berkowitz, PC; Mark Reibolt of Coker Capital Partners. Thanks also to Solving Healthcare panelists Dr. Jeff Rice of Healthcare Blue Book, Christopher Parks of Change:Healthcare, Dr. Michael Swan of Women’s Health Services of Saint Thomas Health Services , and my fellow panelist on Social Networking in Healthcare Martin Trussell of First Horizon Msaver.

I would like to thank Christine Buttorff of Nashville Public Radio for being such an outstanding moderator for our Universal Healthcare panel and Scott Kozicki who moderated the Solving Healthcare and Social Networking panels. To the over 22 presenters who demonstrated their expertise and passion for healthcare I salute you and your efforts to bring about improvements to healthcare. I would be amiss if I didn’t mention our willing volunteers who helped make the event run as smoothly as possible with their friendly attention to the needs of our attendees – thank you. I couldn’t miss our new best friend and event coordinator Ted Chapin whose knowledge of event planning, constant attention to details we hadn’t considered, and warm, professional attitude conveyed to even the most insignificant task needing to be done.

Finally, I would be more than remiss if I didn’t raise the proverbial glass to the team at Talstone Group. When the idea for hosting such an event in Nashville came to mind while sitting at home in my recliner there was no doubt our group could pull it off. What was impressive to me was the zeal and fervor to which they rose to the occasion. People will never know the amount of work that went on behind the scenes to pull an event like this off. To my business partner Tim Smith, copywriter Lisa Stiles, production artist/promotional products manager Lauren Gregory, graphic designer extraordinaire and camp enthusiast Brad Blackman, and interactive developer technical juggernaut Ben Wilkins, I say a very heartfelt thank you for championing an idea and serving as catalyst for something much needed in the healthcare industry both in Nashville and the world over. It is a blessing to work along side of you and have you be part of the “rock solid” team known as Talstone Group. Here’s to next year.

Until then – keep your pulse strong.