Fall Trustee/CEO Meeting
Richard Umbdenstock’s Presentation

The Council’s coveted, highest award, the 2009 Matthew F. McNulty, Jr. Award, goes to Donald Sweeney, Chairman of the Board, Montgomery General Hospital!

The two major features of the Council’s November 3 CEO/Trustee Luncheon were the announcement of the McNulty Award and the speaker, Richard Umbdenstock, President & CEO, American Hospital Association. The 2009 award was presented by Chairman Michael Barch, Executive Committee Member Omega Silva, M.D. and Council President Joe Burns.

Dr. Silva stated Donald Sweeney, the 2009 Mathew F. McNulty, Jr. Award winner, is the current Chairman of the Board of Montgomery General Hospital and has served on the board since 2004. Mr. Sweeney was a leader in merging Montgomery General with MedStar frequently reminding everyone involved that the first priority is doing what’s best for the community. He was a partner with Ernst & Young’s healthcare practice prior to his retirement several years ago. Mr. Sweeney graduated from the University of MD with an MBA and his undergraduate work at Drexel University earned a BS degree in accounting.

Past McNulty Award recipients include:

YEAR	NAME & TITLE	FACILITY
1998	William Tennant, Board Chair	Inova Health System
	Carl Howe, Board Chair	Brooke Grove Foundation
	Judith Viorst, Volunteer	The Washington Home
2001	Ed Van Hise, Lifeline Volunteer	Holy Cross Hospital
2002	Bill Williams, Auxiliary President	Laurel Regional Hospital
2003	Alice Jones, Board Chair	Prince William Health System
2004	Virgil McDonald, Board Chair	Ft. Washington Hospital
2005	Alexander Sloan, M.D., Board Chair	Holy Cross Hospital
	Dale Hoscheit, Esq., Board Member	Sibley Memorial Hospital
	Malene Davis, President & CEO	Fernando Rivera, Director Veterans Affairs Medical Ctr.

 

Capital Hospice

Mr. Sweeney has a unique knowledge of the Maryland payment system and an exceptional ability to manage. He has made education of the board a top priority and has instituted a trustee educational session into each board meeting.

Mr. Sweeney working with Peter Monge, President, has successfully worked on diversity of the board. Mr. Sweeney is active in several area non-profits and has done substantial volunteer work since his retirement.

Dr. Silva stated it was with great honor and pleasure on behalf of the Council’s Board of Directors and its Executive Committee, the 2009 Matthew F. McNulty Award be presented to Donald Sweeney. Council President & CEO Joe Burns presented red roses to Barbara Sweeney. In accepting the award, Mr. Sweeney commented on success of the hospital, its leadership and their commitment to the community.

Council President Joe Burns congratulated Mr. Sweeney on the award just presented.

RICHARD UMBDENSTOCK’S PRESENTATION

Mr. Burns stated this year our legislative leaders have been focused on finalizing a health care reform plan. Today Capitol Hill is negotiating change that will significantly impact patients and providers alike. Mr. Burns said it was his honor and pleasure to introduce a man who truly needs no introduction, the hero of American health care providers, the President & CEO of the American Hospital Association, Richard Umbdenstock.

Mr. Umbdenstock began by expressing his pleasure to represent healthcare on a national level and that the activities on Capitol Hill are really just beginning. There is an enormous amount of political work to be done. It is unlikely this all will be accomplished by year’s end. The entire reform issue comes down to cost. Mr. Umbdenstock utilizing a PowerPoint presentation explained there are 46-48 million uninsured in the U.S. Efficiency and affordability continue to be an area all providers have begun and must continue work on quality improvements even with huge strides this work needs to continue. Better health care quality is less expensive. This speaks to the importance of the electronic medical record and this will take a community-wide effort. Medicine today is not like it was just ten years ago, persistent bacteria strains, new viruses, etc. Technology to battle change is very expensive.

The Democrats are working. The Republicans are lying back. The AHA is non-partisan gladly working with any and all to provide affordable, quality healthcare to all. Mr. Umbdenstock talked about AHA’s efforts with the White House and the fact that “we” will have to accept cuts. AHA is focused on the Senate Finance Committee, having pledged 155 billion reductions over ten years in exchange for coverage for at least 94% of all residents or 97% of all legal residents of the U.S. There is a concern the reform plan will move to Medicare/Medicaid rates. Virtually all these are below cost. He discussed the senate’s role in the process. Tort reform is not high at this time on the Democrat‘s agenda, but needs to be handled. Mr. Umbdenstock expressed the importance of the support from all providers in the process. The AHA believes there will be a bill passed, however, it certainly will not be complete and will require ongoing efforts to smooth, customize and improve the particulars.

There was a lengthy, spirited question and answer session.

There was discussion on so called bundled payment programs, as well as the public option and the uniformity of “quality data” that should be used to gauge provider success.

Mr. Umbdenstock commented on the fine work of the Healthcare Council and thanked the group for the opportunity to visit. A round of applause followed.

Presentation slides are available. Contact Cheryl Thomas, 301-731-4700.