Dear NYSHCA members and colleagues:

I hope you enjoyed (survived) the holidays and are off to a good start in the New Year.

When I last wrote, I shared with you the exciting news about our new and improved website. I hope that you've been visiting it regularly--it's chockful of helpful information, links to the National Society and their discussion rooms, and other sites and events. Many thanks for Laura Weil who created our website and to our webmaster, Deb Hornstra. You can contact Deb through the website should you have any questions, comments, or news you'd like posted. You can also reach any of the Board members or me through the site. Given our busy work lives, we are hoping to "reach out and touch" each other via our site. The address: www.nyshca.org.
 

Our annual ESSENTIALS Workshop will be held at Albany Medical Center Friday, March 30, 2001. Ruby Greene, Director of Patient Relations at Long Island College Hospital in Brooklyn and Sandy Burke, Director of Patient Relations at NYU Medical Center, will be our presenters/facilitators. They will discuss:

• how to provide excellent patient representation, in spite of taking on additional responsibilities, e.g. volunteer services, and the consequent pros and cons
• cultural diversity training
• customer service training
• conflict management
• regulatory compliance

I know it's a long way for many of us, but please make an effort to attend. You will not only come away with valuable information but will also have a chance to catch up with old and new friends from around the state. Registration information is enclosed. Thanks to Catherine Plummer for hosting our workshop.
 

Election time is rapidly approaching, and the Board is asking you to consider serving. We will be voting on a new president, president-elect, secretary, treasurer and two members-at-large. We'd like a legislative liaison, program coordinator and membership person, as well. We have the potential to use the power of our membership to effect change at the state and national levels, and the Board is your voice.

The Board meets monthly, and several of us attend by teleconferencing. Please let me know if you're willing to be nominated. Thus far, my few months as president have been rewarding and downright fun. I encourage you to challenge yourself to take a risk and Just Say Yes to a valuable opportunity.
 

You may recall that the Society sporadically releases a newsletter, most recently coordinated by Gail Hall from Binghamton. Unfortunately Gail is no longer with us, and hence our newsletter efforts took a back seat. Although going to the Web for news is terrific, not all our members have access, and many members have told us they like receiving the newsletter. We have someone ready and willing to do layout and printing. What we need is someone to spearhead efforts to identify members to write each section, gather the articles, then forward them to our layout person. Examples of previous areas of interest: President's Corner, Upstate Update, News from National, A Round of Applause, Articles of Interest, Legislative Update, Q & A, etc. Most members have email, which makes the process a snap. And there are members who are willing to write the pieces. Actually, we have half of the next issue written. Let me know please!

Hope to see you all in March and if not, in June. These are two opportunities that will require some effort to attend, I know, but I promise you will be pleased with your investment. All the best.

On behalf of the Board,

Linda McLean
Society President and
Patient Relations Representative
Strong Memorial Hospital, Rochester