Eric D. Lister, M.D., Managing Director, Ki Associates
Given the increased emphasis on board accountability and transparency, it is imperative for new board members to understand their fiduciary duties and core responsibilities. This session will provide an update on those topics and explore recent research by The Governance Institute on recommended practices of high-performing boards.

James A. Rice, Ph.D., FACHE, Vice Chairman, The Governance Institute
Research from The Governance Institute has isolated a series of essential structures and behaviors of high-performing hospital and health system boards. Dr. Rice will discuss how your organization can best adopt these strategies.

Brian D. Wong, M.D., M.P.H., Founder, The Bedside Project, LLC 
When the entire team shares basic values and communicates effectively, healthcare organizations can provide quality, safety,
service, and efficiency at a much higher level. Dr. Wong will show attendees how to create that environment of shared commitment and cooperation.

Emily Friedman, Independent Health Policy & Ethics Analyst
The election is over, and we have at least a general sense of the lay of the land for the White House, Congress, and many state
legislatures and governorships. In light of the election results, Ms. Friedman will share what she believes might happen with key health policy issues and what healthcare leaders can do to influence the outcome.

Nathan S. Kaufman, Managing Director, Kaufman Strategic Advisors
Given a likely scenario for the healthcare market in the future, what must an organization do to achieve optimal measurable quality and net income? Mr. Kaufman will provide an empirical analysis of historical and current trends for a likely scenario of the future healthcare market and identify providers’ “must dos” for success.

Nathan S. Kaufman & Brandon Edwards, President & COO, DAVIES Public Affairs
In a time of tight Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement, the need to recalibrate key contracts with private insurance companies has
never been greater, and boards play an important role. Attendees will hear case studies and learn how to position the hospital for tough negotiations, support the executive team, and protect the organization’s reputation.

Brian D. Wong, M.D.
During this session, Dr. Wong will introduce the proven concept of a “Physician Advisory Leader” (PAL) program. PAL is a small, select group of physician leaders who develop the capability and the capacity to lead an entire organization in a positive direction. Learn how to implement such a program in your organization.

Michael W. Murphy, President & CEO, Sharp HealthCare
Mr. Murphy will share the story of Sharp HealthCare (a recipient of the Malcolm Baldridge Quality Award in 2007), detailing how the
leadership team and board embarked on a journey to make Sharp the best place to work, practice medicine, and receive care.

Douglas M. Mancino, Partner, McDermott Will & Emery, LLP
The IRS has substantially redesigned the Form 990 annual information return filed by non-profit hospitals. The new Form 990 will provide an audit roadmap for the IRS as well as fodder for reporters. Mr. Mancino will review the Form 990 with an emphasis on using it to increase compliance and create a positive public image for hospitals.

Douglas M. Mancino
Directors of non-profit hospitals are under scrutiny like never before, at the same time when many non-profit hospitals are under financial stress. Mr. Mancino will discuss recent developments and emerging trends, such as the evolving standard of care when a
hospital nears the “zone of insolvency.”

Russell P. Massaro, M.D., FACPE, President, RPM Health Group International, LLC
Most boards seek to help their hospital become the ‘high reliability,’ world-class organization they see in their mind’s eye, but are unsure what they can do to make it happen. The board’s role in improving performance is critical in driving change in all levels of the organization. Dr. Massaro will discuss what this means and how to achieve it in this engaging session.

Brian D. Wong, M.D.
Quality of care is our highest priority. What do we do when we don’t follow up our words with our actions? Dr. Wong will teach you how to have “collaborative conversations” that address troublesome issues politely, respectfully, and effectively.

Kenneth Kaufman, Managing Partner, Kaufman, Hall & Associates, Inc.
The sub-prime mortgage crisis, the bond insurance downgrades, and the auction-rate securities collapse have made for an exciting 2008. Directly and indirectly, hospitals have been impacted by recent economic events. Mr. Kaufman will summarize these critical issues and detail the impact on hospital operations and planning.

Fred Lee, Owner, Fred Lee & Associates, Inc.
Patient satisfaction surveys are focused on attributes that measure satisfaction, but not on those that create loyalty. Mr. Lee will share
a chapter from his bestselling healthcare book, If Disney Ran Your Hospital. He will share the secret of making a patient’s experience go from good to great.

Fred Lee
Like Disney, hospitals are not service organizations. In this session, Mr. Lee will explain why doing what they do at Nordstrom, The Ritz-Carlton, Marriott, and other great service organizations cannot take a hospital to greatness. Insights will include a new approach to patient loyalty based on concepts inspired by Disney.

Kenneth Kaufman
Growth and scale are highly correlated to hospital financial performance and the creation of capital capacity. Most hospital organizations today need to embrace a “planning culture” to create organic growth. Mr. Kaufman will outline the relationships of growth and scale and detail the key elements of planning that support market and financial success.

Lisa Goldstein, Senior Vice President & Health Care Team Leader, Moody’s Investors Service
In this session, Ms. Goldstein will discuss recent rating trends, an overview of current hospital financial performance, and an update on the conditions of the tax-exempt bond market, which has undergone significant dislocation during 2008. She will also share Moody’s perspective on the presidential election and its impact on the hospital industry and financial performance.

Eric D. Lister, M.D.
The fiduciary duties of hospital trustees extend beyond the realm of finance to include ultimate responsibility for quality and patient
safety. Dr. Lister will explore the rationale for that responsibility, present possibilities for dramatic progress on a local level, and describe specific steps trustees can take to drive this progress.