One of my favorite quotes is “change is the only constant” by the Greek philosopher, Heraclitus. I think this is always true, but even more so as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The last year has not only brought change for all of us but change has come at a speed impossible to have previously imagined. We changed the way we interact with co-workers, friends, family, and patients. We changed the way we shop, the way we dine, the way we travel. Perhaps a shorter list would be to reflect on things we did not change in the past year. So what can we expect from 2021? Are we finally free to get back to how things were before? Some researchers argue that many of the changes we’ve experienced in 2020, are here to stay, and for good reason.

So here are some predictions for 2021:

Work From Home or hybrid arrangements, are definitely here to stay and probably not to anyone’s surprise. There are simply too many benefits that have come with remote working over the past year:

And the good part, technology will continue to evolve in this space and help make our remote experiences even better.[1]

Another change that is probably here to stay is a faster shift to e-commerce. According to the Morning Brew Newsletter, e-commerce sales accounted for 16.1% of U.S. retail sales in the 2^nd Quarter 2020, up from 10.8% the year before. Similar to working remotely, significant innovation is happening in this sector, aiming to improve our shopping experience. One of the many examples is the virtual “try on” technologies. Various brands now offer this option for clothing, shoes, cosmetics, eyeglasses, and even a new haircut.[2]

Cross-Border Travel is a hard one. This is probably something many are hoping to do in 2021, especially with the optimism the COVID vaccines bring. Personally, I can’t say that I am enjoying watching travel shows as much as traveling myself. Judging by airline prices, it looks like airlines are expecting travel to pick up towards the end of the year. Round trips from Detroit to Paris currently cost around $650 for travel during April 2021 while almost doubling during October 2021.[3]

As for our healthcare environment, virtual care is likely here to stay. Health systems have increased their virtual care offering tremendously in order to continue serving patient needs during the pandemic. This technology is enabling patients to stay in closer contact with their providers while limiting unnecessary visits to a provider office, which is benefiting both the patient and the health system. For example, patients no longer need to take a day off from work to be able to go to see their doctor. Given the convenience that telehealth enables, patients will likely continue to desire and demand that virtual health options remain available for an expanding list of services even after the pandemic is behind us. [4]

I look forward to what this year has to offer. Remember, good or bad, we are all in this together. Take care of yourselves, take care of others and have hope because things will get better.

__________________________

[1] Morning Brew. (2020). Don’t say the New Normal, Don’t Say the New Normal. Retrieved from: https://www.morningbrew.com/daily/issues/2020/12/31

[2] The Washington Post. (2020). Virtual try-ons are replacing fitting rooms during the pandemic. Retrieved from: https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/07/09/virtual-try-ons-are-replacing-fitting-rooms-during-pandemic/

[3] Travel+Leisure. (2020). Here’s What Travel Will Look Like in 2021, According to Psychics. Retrieved from: https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-tips/travel-trends/psychic-predictions-for-travel-in-2021

[4] CIO. (2020). Healthcare digital transformation: 5 predictions for 2021. Retrieved from: https://www.cio.com/article/3601717/healthcare-digital-transformation-5-predictions-for-2021.html

On December 2, 2020, MCACHE hosted a 1.5 credit panel discussion for 53 registrants on Virtual Workforce: How Disruption Accelerates The Pace of Change. The panel was comprised of 3 team members representing different viewpoints on the impact of the pandemic on the speed of change ranging from Human Resources, Technology, and Organizational Performance.

The discussion was lively and spanned topics including culture, employee loyalty, work from home challenges (kids, pets, Wi-Fi access, home office space), and the potential for some element of the virtual workforce to continue into the future.

1)     What we can accomplish when we all focus on the same goal and have a shared sense of purpose

2)     The importance of flexibility and adaptability to new scenarios and ways of interacting

3)     How to maintain engagement and organizational culture with a virtual workforce

4)     The pandemic forced changes to happen very quickly and many of the changes ended up being positive. How can we operate at “Pandemic Speed” when there isn’t a pandemic?

Throughout the month of December, the MCACHE Emerging Leaders Community Engagement committee partnered with Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan to host a virtual food drive. The problem of food insecurity was exacerbated by the Covid pandemic, so the Emerging Leaders wanted to find a way to contribute in a virtual manner to a great local organization that we’ve worked with many times before. Members of MCACHE and members of our professional and personal networks were able to go online shopping for select bulk food items on the Gleaners website or were able to donate a cash amount to the organization. We were able to take advantage of a “Double your Match Day” that was supported by Kroger Company, which allowed MCACHE to add to the total contribution. The MCACHE virtual food drive resulted in a gift of $1,795.99 to Gleaners which will provide more than 5,387 meals to our hungry neighbors in need! With Gleaners' bulk purchasing power and efficient distribution network, they can provide 3 meals for every dollar donated. This virtual food drive allowed the MCACHE Emerging Leaders group to continue to give back to the community and help a great local organization during this challenging time.

To get involved with the Emerging Leaders group, be on the lookout for our next event in March. To stay up-to-date on the latest Emerging Leaders events, sign up for our email list by emailing el.mcache@gmail.com or by checking out our website at www.mcache.ache.org. Hope to see you at our next event!

The word volunteer is defined as “a person who undertakes or expresses a willingness to undertake a service or to do something” -- a similar definition could be used for leadership.

Enhance your membership experience by being actively engaged in YOUR MCACHE Chapter. Your strengths, skills, and competencies are invaluable in helping to elevate the Healthcare Executive profession, and volunteering is a great leadership development tool and way to connect with others.

Complete the Willingness to Serve Form if you'd like to volunteer!

Not quite sure yet how you’d like to help? Send a note to mcache@achemail.net. — we will work with you to find the perfect fit.

The MCACHE Volunteerism Award honors members who contribute time and energy above and beyond to help deliver MCACHE's mission, vision, and objectives. Melissa has achieved this by all the volunteer hours she has contributed to Chairing the Program Committee and all that they do in planning wonderful programs and social events for our chapter. In 2020, this took on a whole new look when things suddenly went from in-person to virtual.

Robert E. Armstrong, FACHE

As one of the leading non-profit and Catholic health systems in the U.S., Ascension is committed to delivering compassionate, personalized care to all, with special attention to persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable. In FY2020, Ascension provided $2.4 billion in care of persons living in poverty and other community benefit programs. Ascension includes more than 160,000 associates and 40,000 aligned providers. The national health system operates more than 2,600 sites of care – including 146 hospitals and more than 40 senior living facilities – in 19 states and the District of Columbia while providing a variety of services including clinical and network services, venture capital investing, investment management, biomedical engineering, facilities management, risk management, and contracting through Ascension’s own group purchasing organization. Visit www.ascension.org.

Select Medical is one of the largest operators of critical illness recovery hospitals, rehabilitation hospitals, outpatient rehabilitation clinics, and occupational health centers in the United States based on the number of facilities. As of June 30, 2020, Select Medical operated 101 critical illness recovery hospitals in 28 states, 29 rehabilitation hospitals in 12 states, and 1,757 outpatient rehabilitation clinics in 37 states and the District of Columbia. Select Medical’s joint venture subsidiary Concentra operated 522 occupational health centers in 41 states. Concentra also provides contract services at employer worksites. On June 30, 2020, Select Medical had operations in 47 states and the District of Columbia. Information about Select Medical is available at www.selectmedical.com.

With more than 30,000 employees, Henry Ford Health System is the fifth-largest employer in metro Detroit, and among the most diverse.  For more information, please visit https://www.henryford.com/

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, a nonprofit mutual insurance company, is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. BCBSM provides health benefits to more than 4.7 million members residing in Michigan in addition to employees of Michigan-headquartered companies residing outside the state. The company has been committed to delivering affordable health care products through a broad variety of plans for businesses, individuals, and seniors for 82 years. Beyond health care coverage, BCBSM supports impactful community initiatives and provides leadership in improving health care. For more information, visit bcbsm.com and MiBluesPerspectives.com.

The HCS Group is Michigan’s premier provider of mobile imaging services. Based in Plymouth, Michigan, and established in 2005, The HCS Group offers clients comprehensive management solutions along with unparalleled value in the delivery of high-quality imaging services. Our turnkey resource management team handles everything from recruiting top-notch technical staff to comprehensive marketing and sales services to patient scheduling. Under The HCS Group umbrella we have also established IntelliAuth360 which provides insurance pre-authorization, Ultra-X Imaging which provides mobile x-ray and ultrasound services, and Options Staffing 360 which provides supplemental staffing services for the healthcare industry.

At The HCS Group, our culture drives our strategy. We are committed to creating a culture that focuses on people, passion, partnership, and performance. Selected as a Detroit Free Press Top Workplaces, for the past four years, we are grateful for our employees and the commitment they have made to providing exceptional service. To find out more, please visit us at The HCS Group.com or check us out on social media at The HCS Group Facebook and The HCS Group Linkedin.

HED is an architecture and engineering firm with offices in eight cities. We have a reputation for design excellence, believing that all the facets of design must create a positive impact. Nowhere is this more relevant than in the delivery of world-class healthcare environments, which demand continuous learning, adaptation, and experience—along with constantly navigating the complex healthcare landscape. From evolving treatment modalities and changing healthcare laws, to strict building codes and funding uncertainties, we guide our clients to deliver exceptional patient care through excellent design. To learn more, visit hed.design

As the nation's largest health care-focused law firm, Hall Render is distinguished by our attorneys' extensive knowledge and experience. Health law attorneys across the country provide organizations in the highly regulated health care industry with full-service legal representation. Commitment and experience complement the firm's understanding of the evolving landscape of today's health care industry, distinguishing Hall Render as one of the nation's preeminent health care law firms. www.hallrender.com

Johnson & Johnson Health Care Systems Inc. (JJHCS) provides contracting supply chain, and business services to customers of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson including hospital systems and group purchasing organizations, health plans, physicians, specialty pharmacy providers, distributors, and wholesalers, pharmacy benefits managers, long-term care providers, employers, government payer programs and government health care institutions. jnj.com

Patina Solutions Group is a non-traditional consultancy specializing in outcome-driven solutions for complex issues in Healthcare across Operations, Revenue Cycle, Technology, Interim Leadership, and Executive Placement. Patina is delivering compelling engagements across its 11 offices in the U.S. patinasolutions.com

Established in 2015 under The HCS Group umbrella of companies, Ultra-X Imaging is Michigan and northern Ohio’s comprehensive solution for mobile diagnostic imaging services. With its office in Southfield, Michigan, Ultra-X Imaging can perform diagnostic imaging health services for skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, and in the comfort of the patient’s own home.

Recognized as the most efficient and reputable 24/7 mobile x-ray and ultrasound service, Ultra-X Imaging has achieved “Triple Aim” (enhanced patient satisfaction, improved quality through better coordination of care, and reduced cost) by working with local health systems. Our UlltraLynk® systems improve quality by comparing images throughout the continuum—eliminating ER visits and readmission as a result. Since its development, Ultra-X Imaging’s culture which is founded on people, passion, partnership, and performance has landed it on the Detroit Free Press Top Work Places for the past four years. To learn more please visit us at Ultra-X Imaging or visit our social media at Ultra-X Imaging Facebook and Ultra-X Imaging Linkedin

Medija Shaska, Communications Committee Chairperson mshaska1@hfhs.org

Joe Colombo, Communications Committee Co-Chairperson joseph.colombo@ascension.org

Susan Stokes susan-stokes@comcast.net

Caitlyn N. Hakim caitlynhakim@gmail.com

Contact MCACHE: mcache@achemail.net