The Center for Health Affairs’ Third Annual Meeting Welcomes Record Audience

On May 15, The Center for Health Affairs welcomed more than 250 people to ConnectNEO, our Annual Meeting in Cleveland. Featuring panels and discussions comprised of local hospital leaders and professionals across the continuum of care, the day culminated in a fireside chat covering the critical intersections of healthcare, community and policy, between Cleveland Mayor Justin M. Bibb and The Center’s President & CEO Brian Lane.

Mayor Bibb highlighted initiatives that have improved residents’ lives, such as expanded youth employment programs, workforce development in tech and green energy, and significant strides in public safety and health equity. Discussing pressing issues like firearm violence and suicide, Bibb emphasized the significance of aligning city policy, public health strategies, and grassroots leadership to create safer healthier communities.

Mayor Bibb underscored the importance of partnership and collaboration and the ability to push forward with the issues that matter to Cleveland residents. He highlighted a need for optimism that Cleveland can be an example in the U.S. as a place where people are working together to solve problems and ultimately achieve the American dream.

“We have to keep pushing forward with the things that matter to the people, that matter in our city, and we have to believe in our ability to dream again as a city,” said Mayor Bibb. “And I want people to have optimism and hope that Cleveland can be an example in this country where things can work and people are working together to solve problems and where the American dream is still within reach.”

The ConnectNEO agenda was filled with thought provoking discussions on enhancing support for older adults in Northeast Ohio, leadership perspectives on hospital impact, continuity in mental health care, and a presentation from Jorie AI on advancing patient care and community health through technology and innovation.

“Fulfilling our mission to be a convener, ConnectNEO brings together members, professionals and leaders for a day of learning, information sharing and relationship building, all with the aim of advancing our collective efforts to serve and advance the well-being of our community,” said Brian Lane, in opening remarks. “Speaking on some of the most pertinent issues in healthcare, the speakers and panelists we’ve assembled today are among the brightest minds in the healthcare field. We’re fortunate to once again bring together such an exceptional group of community and industry leaders, committed to advancing health and well-being across Northeast Ohio.”

We at The Center extend our thanks to all the speakers, moderators and panelists who contributed to their time and expertise to a rewarding and engaging day of conversation:

• Dr. Christine Alexander-Rager, The MetroHealth System; Heidi L. Gartland, University Hospitals; Dr. Jorge Guzman, Northeast Ohio Market, Cleveland Clinic; Jill Dietrich Mellon, VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System, who discussed leadership perspectives on hospital impact with moderator Brian Lane.
• Dr. Brian Rothstein, Mt. Sinai Health Foundation; Kathy Hallissey, Cleveland Foundation; Treye Johnson, Community Power and Economic Justice, The George Gund Foundation; Peter Whitt, Saint Luke’s Foundation, who discussed foundations for fueling economic success with moderator Jeanine Gergel of Foundation Management Services Inc.
• E. Douglas Beach, Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging; Orion Bell, Benjamin Rose; Ken DiPippo, University Hospitals; Constance Hill-Johnson, Visiting Angels Living Assistance Services, who joined moderator Sean Cannone of Hospice of Western Reserve to discuss enhancing support for older adults in Northeast Ohio.
• Sal Lo and Chris Mashburn from Jorie AI, who spoke on advancing patientcare and community health through technology and innovation.
• Pamela Budak, Bluestone Child & Adolescent Psychiatric Hospital; Bridget Graber, Neighborhood Family Practice; Eric Morse, The Centers; Lisa Ramirez Shah, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, School Health Program, The MetroHealth System; Michael Carr, Cleveland Clinic, who discussed continuity in mental healthcare and building bridges for better outcomes with moderator Scott Osiecki of the ADAMHS Board of Cuyahoga County.

Also an important part of the day were the event sponsors, who were essential partners and supporters and whose contributions helped make the event possible. The Center extends its gratitude to:

• Our presenting sponsors: Premier, Inc.; Vertex; CHAMPS GPO. 
• Lanyard sponsor, Oswald. 
• Photo backdrop sponsor, Maven Language Solutions. 
• Raffle sponsors: The City Club of Cleveland; the Crowne Plaza; Playhouse Square. 
• Breakfast sponsor, Huntington Bank. 
• Lunch sponsor, Catholic Charities Diocese of Cleveland. 
• Dessert sponsor, Indivior. 
• Brand sponsor, Innis Maggiore. 
• Bronze sponsors: the ADAMHS Board of Cuyahoga County; Carleton McKenna; ecfirst; eMedical Prep; FIT technologies; Thompson Hine. 
• Silver sponsors: Data Buddies; PointClickCare; Renner Otto; Greater Cleveland Partnership. 
• Gold sponsors: Global Furniture Group; Indivior; McKesson; Staples; Transcard. 

At its core, the mission of The Center’s Connect Northeast Ohio is to bring together members, partners, leaders, and members of the community for a day of learning, information sharing, and relationship building, all with the aim of advancing our collective efforts to serve and advance the well-being of our community.