MBGH Winter Newsletter

Member Newsletter

Winter 2022

Message from the President

Happy New Year to you and yours! I hope this message finds you healthy, safe and refreshed after the busy holiday season!

We thank you for being part of the MBGH family! Below is a wrap up of 2021 accomplishments and an overview of what’s coming in 2022. And what a year it’s been! We offered over 20 educational events and published six new online resources, launched a new branding strategy including updates to our website and communications, and welcomed a number of new members, board members and a new staff member. It’s been a busy year…and we expect 2022 to be just as action-packed!

We are here if you need us – just reach out to me or any of the MBGH staff.

Cheryl Larson

President & CEO

2021 Year in Review

For many organizations, 2021 was a year of “the pivot." MBGH was no different. The team transitioned to permanent remote work, moved out of our Chicago office and became experts in offering virtual programming. During the year, we launched new branding, including an updated website and communications. Despite less-than-ideal circumstances, we accomplished some amazing things thanks to the support of our members.

A few highlights…

Welcomed 20 new members. Check out the newest additions to our MBGH family!

Voted in several new board members

Offered a wide range of educational programs including 16 webinars and four employer roundtable discussions

At the request of MBGH members, conducted 3 employer benchmarking surveys on topics including Employee Contributions, PTO & Paid Sick Leave and Global Presence in India

Launched two new online Employer Toolkits including “Fertility and Family Building Benefits” and “Tackling Obesity in the Workplace”

Launched four new Employer Action Briefs. Click on titles below to download!

Participated in two community-based projects, including:
Chicago Multi-stakeholder Initiative on Behavioral/Mental Health - Watch for the report we are releasing in 2022 that identifies employer best practices and how to measure the impact of mental health benefits.
ImmUNITY Chicago Task Force – In unison with other key stakeholders, we’re committed to providing resources to promote confidence, access and equity in routine vaccinations.

Conducted 16 employer-directed research projects resulting in educational programs, action briefs, educational videos and online toolkits for our employer members.

Tallied results of our annual health benefits direction survey. Thanks for giving MBGH a 9.0 Net Promoter Score! A summary of the survey findings including key benefit trends and priorities will be shared during the January 2022 annual wellness forum with final results made available to all members soon. Check out the comments received.

2022 Key Highlights

We have a number of educational programs in the works for 2022! These events will be offered both in-person and virtually following government and local guidelines. Details on safety protocols are forthcoming.

Be sure to save these dates on your calendar!

January 26 – Bouncing Back: How Wellness Programs Can Survive and Thrive (Employer-only event)
February 23 – Mental Health: The Other Pandemic
March 23 – Back to Basics! Driving Preventive Care Utilization
May 4-5 – 42nd Annual Conference: Beyond the Pandemic – Employers Uniting to Accelerate Change in Health Care & Benefits
June 22 – Employer Forum on Pharmacy Benefits & Specialty Drugs
August TBD - Future of Digital Health Technologies: Innovation & Patient Care

2022 Programs

42nd Annual Conference

Don't leave these MBGH benefits on the table!

Midwest Health Purchasers Collaborative (MHPC) – Learn more about our discounted purchasing programs for employer members. All products and services are vetted, reviewed and approved by the MHPC employer board.

Free membership in WELCOA – If you’re an employer member and haven’t signed up for your free WELCOA membership, sign up today!

MBGH Staff Update

Welcome

At the end of October, we welcomed Allison Larsen as our new Manager of Marketing & Events. Allison comes to us with 25+ years of experience managing grants and programs, and producing and executing successful events from small group meetings to conferences for thousands. Welcome Allison!

Transitions

After 4 years as Vice President of MBGH, Denise Giambalvo is moving on to a different role…in a different part of the country! She is going to work for the Washington Health Alliance based out of Seattle as Director of Purchaser Strategies. After her last day on January 14, you’ll be able to reach her here - dgiambalvo@wahealthalliance.or g.
And finally, we will say a fond farewell to Judy Hearn, MBGH’s Director of Membership Initiatives. Judy is retiring – her last day with MBGH will be February 28. Please feel free to reach out to wish her well – jhearn@mbgh.org.
Judy's role will be filled by Kathy Foulser who joins MBGH on February 1st from Rush System for Health where she was the Benefit Manager. Kathy will serve as MBGH's new Director of Membership Development.

Save the Date!

We are very excited to share information about MBGH’s 42nd Annual Conference. Add to your calendar today! Use the links below to learn more.

Learn More

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