Genesis Health System joins MercyOne
An agreement for Genesis Health System to join MercyOne was completed Wednesday, March 1.

The news follows a September announcement that MercyOne and Genesis had signed a letter of intent to develop a strategic partnership. With today’s closing, all interests and operations of Davenport-based Genesis will become part of MercyOne.

“We are excited to welcome Genesis to MercyOne and look forward to shaping a framework to enhance access to personalized, convenient health care across eastern Iowa and western Illinois,” said Bob Ritz, president and chief executive officer at MercyOne. “Together, we are stronger and will deliver the highest quality care and the best patient experience to all those we serve.”

The Genesis Health System Board of Directors unanimously selected MercyOne as its choice for a partner after an exploration process that began in December 2021.

“As part of MercyOne, Genesis will be able to leverage the skill, talent and scale of national and regional resources while retaining our local leadership and focus,” said Doug Cropper, Genesis Health System president and CEO. “We will deepen our commitment to quality, safety and patient experience, and strengthen our workforce retention and recruitment efforts. By joining MercyOne, Genesis will continue our ability to grow, thrive and deliver more integrated care in the region.”

Genesis Philanthropy and the Genesis Health Services Foundation will continue to serve the Quad Cities-area communities. Genesis Health Services Foundation will remain part of the unified health system. Genesis Philanthropy will operate under a new name, the Better Health Foundation, and will be independent from the health system. Among the commitments made as part of joining MercyOne, Genesis Health System provided the Better Health Foundation with $40 million in funds, ensuring its future as one of the region's preeminent granting organizations. The Better Health Foundation will be fully operational July 1, 2023.

AHA releases Leadership Dialogue with Jennifer Havens
Jennifer Havens, CEO of UnityPoint Health-Grinnell Regional Medical Center, recently spoke with American Hospital Association Chair John Haupert. Havens discussed the unique challenges rural hospitals are facing including maternal health access. She also spoke about:

• Applying and receiving state and federal grants.
• Accessing resources through the hospital’s affiliation with UnityPoint Health.
• Improving community health.

Train-the-trainer workshop: Physician retention and well-being strategies

The last three years have accelerated workforce issues that have existed for more than a decade. Surveys show job satisfaction declining and a growing percentage of clinicians feeling undervalued. Different from the past, modern burnout is being reported by younger clinicians. IHA is offering a free training to increase retention by focusing on restoring well-being. The workshop, scheduled from 1-3 p.m. Wednesday, March 22 at the IHA Conference Center in Des Moines, provides interventions designed to build new skills to help peer clinicians. Teams will take home a framework to build on and customize for their hospital.

 Gerald Clancy, M.D., professor of psychiatry and emergency medicine and senior associate dean at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, will lead the workshop.

There is no charge for this workshop. It is limited to 10 teams and there are openings left for three.

Registration still open for Critical Access Forum
It’s not too late to register for IHA’s 2023 Critical Access and Rural Hospital Forum. Participants will hear from their colleagues about the unique needs of rural and critical access hospitals.

IHA members from Van Diest Medical Center, MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center, MercyOne Newton Medical Center and Van Buren County Hospital will host a panel discussion addressing social determinants of health in rural hospitals. Participants will learn about approaches to health care in rural settings.

Other topics in this year’s agenda will highlight:

• Creating organizational value and culture.
• Marketing tactics.
• Preventing burnout.
• Rethinking strategic planning for rural and critical access hospitals.

The forum is scheduled from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Thursday, March 9. Email Tori Hanson at IHA with questions.

Register for common hospital deficiencies webinar
Hospitals face common challenges whether they are rural or urban including compliance with federal regulations and accreditation standards. Nancy Ruzicka, a consultant on state and federal regulations, will discuss:

• Compliance assessments for common deficiencies.
• Frequently cited deficiencies.
• Preventing deficiencies.

The Common Hospital Deficiencies webinar is scheduled from 10 a.m.-noon Thursday, May 11.

Iowa HHS releases Medicaid pharmacy program changes for April
The Department of Health and Human Services is making updates to the Iowa Medicaid Pharmacy Program effective Saturday, April 1. Changes to the program include:

• Adding drug prior-authorization criteria for topical psoriasis agents.
• Changing existing prior-authorization criteria for high dose opioids and initial day's supply limit override.
• Removing prior-authorization criteria for nebivolol and potassium binders.

Updating point-of-sale billing.