Great Oral Health Session You Don't Want to Miss!

Quinn Dufurrena, DDS JD 

Executive Director, Colorado Dental Association

Presents The Future of Dentistry in Rural America

Friday, October 18th at 10:00 am

22nd Annual Rural Health Conference

 

Dr. Dufurrena received his dental degree from the University of the Pacific and his law degree from Concord Law School. He practiced general dentistry in rural Nevada for 25 years. In 2007 he was the recipient of the American Dental Association Hillenbrand Fellowship. As part of this fellowship he researched and wrote about the future of Teledentistry in rural America. Click here to learn more about the Colorado Dental Association. 

 

Steve Sorensen, CPO at Enlighten360 joins healthcare education panel!

Steve Sorensen is the Chief Performance Officer at Enlighten360. Steve will join Dr. Irene Frederick and Eric Johnson on Thursday, October 17th at the 2pm breakout session.

Thursday, Oct. 17th 2-3pm

When Work No Longer Works: a Blueprint for Self-Renewal

Objectives:

• Provide attendees with the tools to move forward in their careers
• Explore avenues for transformation through learning
• Optimize skill sets by pursuing learning opportunities



Steve’s work experience features three successful decades within the Fortune 500 as a Vice-President, a Manager of Corporate Accounts and Western States/Western Canada Regional Manager. He attributes his successful career to the many people who shared his goal of a culture of excellence and collaboration.

As founder and president of Enlighten360, Steve provides proven learning systems that include, leadership academies for all levels of leadership requirements, creates highly functional cultures of collaboration, and client engagement methodologies. Steve also coaches those seeking to advance within their careers, and executives for learning to lead programs.

He is adjunct faculty, teaching leadership and organizational culture within two graduate programs at the University of Denver, He writes for industry publications, and delivers speeches on the positive impact and strategic importance of leadership, the power of collaborative cultures and ways to improve customer relationships.

Colorado Welcome Back: New Source of Healthcare Talent for Colorado's Medically Underserved

Thursday October 17, from 3:15-4:15

Elzbieta Nolan, Co-Director, Colorado Welcome Back 

and

Laurence Nolan, Co-Director, Colorado Welcome Back

Elzbieta and Laurence Nolan are co-Directors of the Colorado Welcome Back, a program of Spring Institute for Intercultural Learning, in Denver, which helps foreign-trained healthcare professionals re-establish careers in healthcare in Colorado. Elzbieta is a broadly experienced international executive who has built, transformed, and developed multi-national teams of professionals during her career with several Fortune 100 companies (Hewlett Packard, Compaq Computer, Digital Equipment, Unisys), as well as several startups, small and mid-size organizations. Her multi-disciplinary background includes managing consulting and support services, scientific research, finance, operations, general management, strategy development, business planning, marketing, and non-profit management.

Laurence has developed extensive experience in managing diverse teams of technical talent during his successful management and executive career with several high technology companies (Ericsson, Qualcomm, Motorola, US West), as well as several startups. His most recent corporate role was as the Head of a 250+ person R&D Center for Ericsson, where he established a strong record for increasing the organization's competitiveness, innovation and productivity.
 

 

Dr. Irene Frederick will discuss higher education opportunities!

Dr. Irene Frederick is Academic Director for the University of Denver, University College, Master’s Degree and Certificate program in Healthcare Leadership. She holds an MD from the Milton S. Hershey College of Medicine-Pennsylvania State University, is board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and a fellow in the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

Mentoring students and residents in their educational and career choices has been a major focus of Dr. Frederick’s career.  Using her background in clinical, academic and administrative medicine, she extends this experience to University College students seeking educational advancement through the Healthcare Leadership degrees.  A program designed for the working adult, Healthcare Leadership provides coursework both on campus and online, allowing access to individuals in all locations.

Dr. Frederick presents
When Work No Longer Works: a Blueprint for Self-Renewal

Thursday, October 17th from 2-3pm

Eric Johnson, J.D.

Enrollment Manager at University of Denver,

will co-present with Dr. Frederick.

If you miss this session, be sure to stop by the DU exhibit table!

 

Kimberly Patton to speak to Annual Rural Health Conference attendees!

Kimberly Patton, PsyD

Public Health Analyst/Behavioral Health Liaison

Health Resources & Services Administration

Presenting: 

Thursday, Oct. 17th - 9:15-10:15

 

Dr. Kim Patton has worked as a Public Health Analyst for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration in Denver for the past seven years. She currently serves as the Colorado State Liaison and the Behavioral Health Liaison for Region VIII states, and has worked extensively on health care issues both in Colorado and the region. Kim promotes collaboration among Federal, state, and community stakeholders, and provides consultation on the integration of behavioral health and primary care services. She is a member of the HRSA regional Behavioral Health Team, and has focused on rural mental health issues, training, and workforce development.

Have you met Michelle?

Michelle Mills will open this year's 22nd Annual Rural Health Conference.

“Significant changes are occurring in the healthcare industry,” said Colorado Rural Health Center’s CEO, Michelle Mills. “This conference is very timely and we have tailored this year’s agenda accordingly.”

As the Chief Executive Officer at Colorado Rural Health Center, Michelle brings substantial experience and working knowledge of rural health issues and has worked closely with rural communities and providers to make a positive impact on rural health delivery. Michelle is responsible for building relationships that the Center has established with other organizations, funders, and rural healthcare leaders and is dedicated to collaboration. In 2009, she received the Patient Safety Leader of the Year Award and in 2011 graduated from NOSORH’s Leadership Institute. Michelle earned her BA in Communications from Regis University. She enjoys any activity outdoors with her family and is an avid DIYer.

Michelle publishes an Update from the CEO article in the organization's monthly e-newsletter, click here to read past articles.

Think About it Colorado...

Donna Kusuda, MSN, CPHQ

Chairperson for Think About it Colorado

Donna has many years of experience in the field of quality improvement, patient safety and risk management in hospital, ambulatory care and the managed care settings.  She received her graduate degree in nursing from the University of Colorado and holds and international certification as a Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ). 

Ms. Kusuda will speak on Thursday October 17th during a breakout session from 10:30-11:30 am. Think About it Colorado is a public awareness program designed to spark a statewide conversation about patient safety and to drive reform in this critical area. The goal is to provide Colorado consumers and health care providers the information and resources they need to team up for safer health care.