Powell CEO Joins Wyoming Healthcare Commission
Governor Dave Freudenthal has appointed Rod Barton, CEO of Powell Valley Healthcare to fill the last open seat on the Wyoming Healthcare Commission. Rod has been chief executive officer at Powell since 1997 and has worked in health administration for more than 20 years. The Governor has also appointed Barbara Cohee, vice president of C&Y Transportation Co. Inc., in Casper and Barb Rea, a former patient advocate for Wyoming Medical Center to the Healthcare Commission.

WyHIO Bill to Be Introduced in Upcoming Budget Session
A bill relating to the creation of the Wyoming Health Information Organization will be introduced in the upcoming Budget Session of the Wyoming Legislature, sponsored by the Joint Labor, Health and Social Services Interim Committee. Two years ago, the Legislature authorized the Wyoming Healthcare Commission (WHCC) to find a way to build connections between public and private healthcare providers who share information on paper, but could serve patients and the public better by sharing information electronically. The Legislature requested a complete description of how those connections will happen, what they will cost and what benefits will result. The study commissioned by the WHCC outlines the need for the bill and requests a total of $58 million that serves four broad purposes: (1) Enable digital capture and storage of health information by hospitals and other providers and institutions; (2) Facilitate sharing data through construction of a centralized data exchange facility called a “hub”; (3) Deploy and promote healthcare IT utilities that are immediately feasible, such as electronic prescribing, continuity of care records, and administrative functions and; (4) Provide for ongoing coordination and management of Wyoming's electronic healthcare network through an independent non-profit Regional Health Information Organization. Subsequent issues of Newsbriefs will explain the bill further and describe the benefits potentially accruing to Wyoming patients and healthcare providers.

Wyoming Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan
The Wyoming Comprehensive Cancer Control Consortium (WCCCC) unveiled the state's first Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan at the 2005 Wyoming Cancer Conference in Casper this past October. The Consortium has set priorities for Wyoming including cancer education and awareness, prevention initiatives, increased access to healthcare, increased screening efforts, and patient navigation for cancer patients, survivors, and their families. This year's cancer conference set the stage to unveil and promote the plan, however, the WCCCC will be visiting communities statewide to address local issues pertaining to cancer prevention and control. If you are interested in becoming a part of the WCCCC or would like a copy of the plan, please contact Kimberly Rogers, Program Manager at 307-777-8609 or e-mail Kroger@state.wy.us.

WHA Vice President Holds WHRN Board of Director Position
Dan Perdue, Wyoming Hospital Association Vice President, will hold the position of President of the Wyoming Health Resources Network (WHRN) for the 2006 year. WHA was one of the founding members of the public/private partnership dedicated to improving rural health. Other officers include David Coleman of the Wyoming Association of Physician Assistants serving as Vice President of WHRN, Susie Pouliot of the Wyoming Medical Society serving as Treasurer, and Board Members: Dan Lex, Dr. Brent Sherard, Lynne Weidel, Robert Kelley, PhD, Patty Sherard, Beth Shober, JoAnn Blevins and Peter Birkholz representing the Wyoming Critical Access Hospitals Network. Pennie Hunt is the Executive Director of WHRN.