IHA, Schabel Solutions offer DEI certification course
Patient demographics are rapidly changing, and health care workers must be ready to meet the growing needs of more diverse communities. IHA, in partnership with Schabel Solutions, created the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Health Care Certificate Program in 2022 to positively impact patient experience and employee engagement. Health care leaders also will develop strategies to address health disparities in their communities.

The certificate program is comprised of e-learning modules and four-hour live sessions. Participants in live sessions gain an understanding of:

• What DEI means and the stages in the DEI journey.
• Unconscious bias and its impact on health care.
• The alignment of DEI and strategic goals.
• Creating diverse teams.
• Becoming an ally.

All live sessions are scheduled from 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. The first session begins Tuesday, May 2. Scholarships are available. Successful completion of this course is not a national certification.

Nominate a 2023 Hospital Hero
Do you have an employee(s) who acted courageously in a moment’s crisis or who selflessly served their hospitals and communities through their careers? IHA will recognize 10 hospital employees at the 2023 IHA Annual Meeting who embody the passion and purpose of the community hospital mission every day.

The Hospital Heroes Award began in 2007 and, through 2022, more than 100 hospital employees have been recognized. Visit the IHA Hospital Heroes webpage to watch the 2022 award video and to nominate a 2023 Hospital Hero. Email Roxanne Strike at IHA with questions. Nominations are due Friday, April 28.

Spots still available for 2023 Workers’ Compensation Conference
Be sure to register for the 2023 Workers’ Compensation Conference, hosted by ServiShare partner AssuredPartners. Participants in the conference will discuss:

• Workplace violence in health care.
• OSHA reporting and recordkeeping.
• Claims case studies, best practices and panel discussion.
• Supervisory safety training.
• Case studies of three hospitals implementing positive safety cultures.

The conference is scheduled from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday, April 18.

HRSA offering rural health care coordination grant
The Human Resources and Services Administration announced a new funding opportunity to promote rural health care services through care-coordination strategies. The grant will provide initial seed funding to expand access to care and coordination of care, expecting recipients will sustain the program after the federal funding ends.

The Rural Health Care Coordination Program is a four-year program running from Sept. 1, 2023, through Aug. 31, 2027. The first year of the program is dedicated to planning and the remaining years are dedicated to implementation. Applicants to the program must select one of five primary focus areas:

• Cancer.
• Chronic lower respiratory disease.
• Heart disease.
• Maternal health.
• Stroke.

Proposals must include innovative approaches to improve population health through coordinated, communitywide programs linking health and human services in an established or formal network. Up to 10 recipients will receive up to $300,000 each for the program. Applications are due Monday, May 15.