Webinar on Reducing Hospital Outmigration, Competing with Brand Names to be Moderated by Aegis Health Group and DHG Healthcare

Losing customers is always top of mind for any business, and hospitals are not immune to this phenomenon. Yet when the topic of patient outmigration comes up, often there is a lack of understanding about why patients leave and about effective strategies that can be used to address retention.

A complimentary webinar hosted by Aegis Health Group and DHG Healthcare explores how hospitals can successfully stem outmigration and its impact on the bottom line in a competitive marketplace. Webinar participants will hear firsthand from hospital executives who are using various strategies to reduce outmigration and to increase retention throughout the care continuum.

The hour-long webinar, “Outmigration – Competing with Brand Names,” begins at 1:00 pm EDT/ 12:00pm CDT on Thursday, September 29. Participants must pre-register at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3087122263891791108.

“Outmigration affects nearly all providers in some fashion,” says co-moderator Phil Suiter, President and CEO of Aegis Health Group. “Whether it is the perception of ’bigger is better,’ referral patterns by physicians, imaging, directed contracting, access or other factors, providers must understand how to address market share that is shifting away from them to their competitors located in the same market or elsewhere.”

Hospital leaders from across the nation that will share their strategies to curb outmigration include:

  • Pat Board, President & CEO, Union Health System – Terre Haute, Indiana
  • Vicki Dallmann-Papke, Director, ProHealth Works & Population Health Management, ProHealth Care – Waukesha, Wisconsin
  • Aaron Lewis, VP Strategic Growth, RCCH Healthcare Partners – Brentwood, Tennessee

“We are honored to have an esteemed panel of hospital leaders who will share their firsthand knowledge and successes regarding outmigration,” said co-moderator Kevin Locke, Partner, DHG Healthcare. “Healthcare industry trends impacting outmigration will be highlighted as well, including payer and employer contracting, mergers and acquisitions, provider partnerships and increased consumerism.”

Participants in the webinar will gain an understanding of the following topics:

  • Using physician network development and employer relationship management as a means to curb outmigration
  • Strategies and specific approaches utilized by physician specialists and local employers
  • Potential ways of leveraging IT platforms and analytic capabilities to identify outmigration patterns
  • Structuring strategic partnerships with tertiary/quaternary organizations to effectively remain independent and prevent losing market share
  • How to identify and cultivate relationships with consumers outside of a traditional healthcare setting

For more information about this complimentary webinar, please visit https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3087122263891791108.

About Aegis Health Group
For 27 years, Aegis Health Group has assisted hundreds of hospitals and health systems with proven-effective employer engagement, population health and physician relationship solutions. Its award-winning employer engagement and population health strategies enable hospitals to grow market share, reduce outmigration and increase revenue by identifying the health risks of local employees and consumers within the community. Complementing this is Aegis’ data-driven physician relationship management solution that strategically aligns hospitals and their medical staff in a way that drives service-line growth, increases referrals, enhances patient care and provides timely issue resolution. Further information about Aegis Health Group, a privately held company based in Brentwood, Tennessee is available at www.AegisGroup.com.

About DHG Healthcare
DHG Healthcare, the national healthcare practice of Dixon Hughes Goodman LLP, is a leading professional services firm serving the healthcare industry and is ranked by Modern Healthcare as the 7th largest privately-held consulting firm in the nation. Spanning the broader healthcare ecosystem, our clients share the common challenge of successfully navigating the unparalleled amount of federal, state and market-driven reform underway in the U.S. Our services in the consulting, assurance and tax domains are purposefully designed to assist our clients in their journey to risk capability. Creating institutional value is a critical focus as our clients define their strategic approach, execute on transformational plans, and manage the financial health and sustainability of their organizations. Learn more about the services and people of DHG Healthcare at www.dhgllp.com/healthcare.

Thomas Health System Expands Services to Promote Health and Wellness in the State of West Virginia

Thomas Health System today announced investments in expanded services to promote health and wellness in the state of West Virginia. As the 10th largest private employer in West Virginia, Thomas Health System has a rich history of serving the community for more than 100 years. Comprised of Thomas Memorial and Saint Francis Hospitals, the system’s reach extends state-wide through its nearly 2,000 employees and 450 physicians.

A recent report by the publication 24/7 Wall Street highlights growing concerns regarding the health of West Virginians. Beckley, West Virginia in Raleigh County was named the unhealthiest city in the United States, as three other cities, Charleston (13), Weirton (20) and Huntington (22), made the list of 25. Weirton-Steubenville, Huntington-Ashland and Beckley had the three highest adult obesity rates in the country. More than 37.8% of the state’s adult (18+) population are smokers. Coupled with obesity, inactivity, heart disease and other health issues, these factors contribute to West Virginia being one of the unhealthiest states in the nation.

“Thomas Health System is committed to improving health and wellness within the state of West Virginia and is making significant investments in services and technologies to promote positive change,” said Dan Lauffer, President and CEO of Thomas Health System. “While recent reports have highlighted negative healthcare trends within the state, it is important to recognize that many of the behaviors and healthcare issues driving these trends can be prevented.”

“Thomas Health System is taking steps to better engage and educate West Virginians about how to improve their health, while increasing the accessibility of needed healthcare resources within the state,” stated Lauffer. “Getting ahead of health maladies with prevention and intervention is the key way to change the population health of the state. This is precisely why Thomas Health has invested millions of dollars in the new urgent care and wellness center in Charleston.”

Saint Francis First Health & Wellness Center, which recently opened in downtown Charleston, helps individuals more proactively identify steps to improve health, as well as addresses non-emergent health issues, lab work, health screenings, flu shots and minor illnesses and injuries. Response to the center’s accessible, economical services, as well as patient conveniences such as online visit appointment scheduling, have been overwhelmingly positive.

Within the state of West Virginia, 60% of Emergency Room (ER) visits are for non-life threatening issues that could be appropriately handed in either an urgent care setting, such as Saint Francis First, or in a family practitioner’s office setting. This current dynamic is putting an incredible burden on all hospitals and not providing ongoing health status assessment and improvement for many patients.

“To improve access to care, Thomas Health System is also significantly expanding its employer outreach and primary care network of physicians to better serve the community,” said Lauffer. “Many individuals don’t realize that employers, Medicare and Medicaid all provide patients with a health status assessment and follow-up protocol with little or no charge involved, if, and only if, the patient will seek the care of a Primary Care Physician or Family Practice Physician on a regular basis.”

Thomas Health System recently announced a partnership with population health expert Aegis Health Group to strengthen relationships with local employers, businesses and local community organizations through an employer-directed population health strategy. This new initiative focuses on identifying health risks among workers and offering appropriate hospital-sponsored programs designed to promote better health and align the participants’ needs with available services. Aegis has nearly three decades of experience providing employer engagement, population health and physician relationship solutions to hundreds of hospitals and health systems across the country.

“We are honored to partner with Thomas Health System as they invest in the health and wellness of West Virginians,” stated Phil Suiter, President and CEO of Aegis Health Group. “Thomas Health System’s commitment to enhance employer engagement, increase consumer awareness and grow its primary care network bring needed leadership to improving population health within the state.”

About Thomas Health System
Serving the healthcare needs of Kanawha Valley for over 100 years, Thomas Health System is focused on delivering the highest standard of service, advanced technology and compassionate, high-quality healthcare in a cost-effective manner. Comprised of Thomas Memorial and Saint Francis hospitals, Thomas Health System is a 403-bed hospital system with nearly 2,000 employees and 450 physicians. As the 10th largest private employer in West Virginia, Thomas Health System is dedicated to building on a rich history of serving its community and providing quality healthcare choices for many years to come. Visit www.thomashealthsystem.com for more information.

About Aegis Health Group
For 27 years, Aegis Health Group has assisted hundreds of hospitals and health systems with proven-effective employer engagement, population health and physician relationship solutions. Its award-winning employer engagement and population health strategies enable hospitals to grow market share, reduce outmigration and increase revenue by identifying the health risks of local employees and consumers within the community. Complementing this is Aegis’ data-driven physician relationship management solution that strategically aligns hospitals and their medical staff in a way that drives service-line growth, increases referrals, enhances patient care and provides timely issue resolution. Further information about Aegis Health Group, a privately-held company based in Brentwood, Tennessee, is available at www.AegisGroup.com.

Aegis Health Group Grows Management Team with the Addition of Two Business Development Executives

Two business development executives have been added to the rapidly expanding team of Aegis Health Group, a leading provider of population health and business development solutions for hospitals and health systems. Ryan Cain and Andrew Harris have joined the company as Vice Presidents of Business Development overseeing the Midwest and Southeast territories respectively.

Both Cain and Harris bring a wealth of management, sales and business development experience to the Aegis team. The hires mark a trend of continued growth for Aegis Health Group, which has been serving hospital and health system clients for more than 25 years.

“Ryan and Andrew are key additions for Aegis as we continue to bring our services to a wider market,” said Aegis Health CEO Phil Suiter. “Both have deep sales and leadership experience within the healthcare field, as well as proven track records of driving growth over the course of their careers.”

A seasoned healthcare executive, Cain most recently served as President and CEO of Universal Medical, a distributor of medical devices, where he grew the customer base to over 450 medical providers nationwide and managed a team of 125 representatives. He has also been an entrepreneur throughout his career, founding three companies and serving as an adjunct professor of entrepreneurship at Nashville State Community College.

Prior to joining Aegis, Harris began his professional career in collegiate coaching before transitioning into the healthcare industry, focusing on wellness initiatives for larger population groups. He has served in sales positions with pharmaceutical manufacturer Allergan as well as wellness venture RivalHealth, where he was a founding team member.

About Aegis Health Group
Aegis Health Group has assisted hundreds of hospitals and health systems with proven-effective population health and wellness strategies for more than 25 years. Its award-winning Population Health Management solutions enable hospitals to grow market share and revenue by identifying and intelligently managing the health risks of individuals within the community. OneCommunity, an online population health platform, leverages technology to actively engage individuals in monitoring their personal health risks, accessing resources available through their local health system, and earning health insurance discounts and other incentives offered by their employer. Complementing these offerings is Aegis’ nationally recognized Physician Relationship Management solution, supported by MDSmart Physician Data Analytics, which strengthens alignment between hospitals and their physicians to drive service-line growth, enhance patient care and provide timely issue resolution. Further information about Aegis is available at www.AegisGroup.com.