The Valley Schools 6th Annual Conference was held at the Heard Museum last month. The annual conference provides an opportunity for its many members to meet leaders in healthcare, education and other fields that will provide them with insight and knowledge of trends affecting employee benefits and school funding.
The event was emceed by Tom Boone of VSMG and Tom Elliott of VSEBT.
This conference featured an inspirational group of speakers with timely information on wellness, healthcare, ACA, and State and National legislation.
Speakers included:
Dr. John A. Hensing, Banner Health Chief Medical Officer spoke on Healthcare Trends and Innovations
John Hensing, MD, Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer
Dr. Hensing was named executive vice president and chief medical officer in 2009.
He joined Banner (then Samaritan Health System) as senior vice president in 1995. His current responsibilities include care management and organizational performance for Banner including medical management, care coordination, case management and management engineering.
Dr. Hensing practiced internal medicine in Tempe, Ariz. for 18 years and was awarded the Distinguished Internist of the Year Award in 1993. He is a Fellow in the American College of Physicians. He has served on multiple boards, including Samaritan Health System, The Samaritan Foundation, HealthPartners of Arizona, and Arizona Medicare Demonstration Project.
Dr. Hensing obtained his undergraduate degree at Iowa State University and his medical degree at the University of Iowa College of Medicine in 1972. After completing two years as a flight surgeon in the US Air Force, he completed his residency in medicine in 1977 and is board-certified in internal medicine.
Richard Stavneak, Director of JLBC
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Diane Douglas spoke about her objectives for the upcoming year
Diane Douglas, Arizona State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Arizona State Superintendent of Public Instruction Diane Douglas has always been passionate about the American education system and has been actively involved in Arizona’s education landscape for over twenty years. Her interest started first with her daughter’s education and continues with the birth of her new grandson. She wants an excellent education for her own family and for all families in Arizona.
Superintendent Douglas is proud to have served two terms on the Peoria Unified School District Governing Board, including two years as President of the Board. During her tenure she worked to support the district’s parents and teachers in delivering an excellent education to all of its students. She has also served on the Site Councils for two Peoria Unified schools and on the Board of Education for church education programs.
As the leader of the Arizona Department of Education, Superintendent Douglas is devoted to improving education in Arizona so that all students have the opportunity to succeed in life. She plans to work directly with the state education community to accomplish this goal and looks forward to collaborating with teachers, parents, students, and administrators.
Prior to her advocacy and leadership in education issues, Superintendent Douglas graduated from Rutgers University and had a distinguished career as a financial expert for a variety of private sector firms.
Acclaimed author and speaker, Robert Scanlan, three time organ transplant recipient and author of “Tigers Under My Bed”, told those in attendance about healthcare from the perspective of a high cost patient.
Bob Scanlon
The event was well attended and at max capacity of around one hundred senior personnel.
