20/06/2019
A Retrospect and Thank You From the Director,
If anyone had asked me a half year ago, what was the state of healthcare in Acadiana, I would have been hard pressed to answer that question, much less have known about the wealth of information about and number of healthcare and wellness providers in our area. Any one of us could of course search for a specific field of medicine or ailment on the Internet and hope to receive the most up to date or accurate information concerning that topic, but would it be comprehensive? Would it come from providers in Louisiana much less Acadiana? And more importantly, do I know any of these providers? These questions were part of the impetus behind creating the Partners in Healthcare Conference of 2019 in and for Acadiana with a goal of “Connecting people with healthcare and wellness providers” at a “key event for sharing information in the healthcare community”.
The Partners In Healthcare Conference (hereinafter referred to as PIH Conference) of 2019 did just that. With over 30 representatives from across Acadiana, and in some cases beyond, residents of our area were able to meet face-to-face with physicians, wellness providers, non-profit organizations and government agencies. They were able to do this under one roof without ever having had to make an appointment or sit in a waiting room. The questions presented and the information given created a reciprocal sharing of knowledge and ideas that promoted the beginnings of healthier lifestyles, directed by local providers. Even among the exhibitors, the beginnings of collaborations and new partnerships were promoted by the free flow of the exhibit floor and presentations in the breakout room that allowed both the public and colleagues to sit in and learn more about each other.
In many large conferences, exhibitors find themselves in little “cubicles” of pipe and drape, where they are secluded from each other, and in some cases hidden from attendees. The measure of success then becomes how strategically placed one’s booth is or how many bells and whistles a booth has in order to attract attention. We chose instead to have an open floor plan, where not only could one listen in on the questions and answers of a provider next door but also take the opportunity to add to the dialogue as might be fit. It also increased the exhibitors’ opportunity to visit each other and share products and services that ultimately would lead to referrals or collaborations.
These collaborations no doubt will be manifested for months or years to come, and it is one of the great pleasures of mine now to wait and see in what ways. We can all take part in this wonderful expectation by taking a moment again to visit the list of exhibitors and sponsors of this year’s conference either from the website (www.partnersinhealthcareconference.com) or on social media (www.facebook.com/pihconference) and then watch for events, programs or services containing two or more of them in the near future. I can think of at least two instances where providers were already planning events together. I would name them here but am wary of putting the cart before the horse. Suffice it to say, Acadiana has some wonderful things to look forward to in the way of healthcare, wellness, education and community.
These four main areas of concentration were highlighted not only in our conference logo but by the providers themselves on the exhibit floor and in the breakout sessions. Every half hour there were 20 to 30-minute presentations given on topics ranging from ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) to physical therapy to veteran’s benefits. Our A-Z of healthcare approach gave additional opportunity to exhibitors on a free to the public platform, wherein they were able to showcase their facility and program services and benefits as well as touching on topics about which each was passionate. With only an hour break taken for lunch on Saturday, there were some attendees who committed themselves to almost every presentation. Passion for healthcare and wellness was evidenced not only in those attendees but in the speaking points of the providers as well as in the energy exhibited throughout the conference.
What an amazing thing it was to watch those same individuals then celebrate each other at the Friday evening reception when certificates of excellence were awarded to providers in their respective fields of medicine, wellness, education, awareness and prevention. The two-hour social was highlighted by the performance of local musician, Abby Sonbuchner. The common theme of the evening was, “what an incredible first day” and “we need more of this in Acadiana.”
Local television stations outdid themselves by sending representatives on both days of the conference for extensive coverage and interviewing. The uniqueness of this event was not lost on them, especially as it remained open to the public, with free wellness checks and health screenings in a “one stop shop” with access to all areas of healthcare including insurance, physicians and program assistances. The week leading up to the conference saw over 31, 000 social engagements on the PIH Conference page, radio coverage and a “Meet Your Neighbor” appearance by members of the conference team. These timeline “documents” will no doubt contribute to the success of future conferences as word reaches more people in Acadiana and will serve as a reminder to all of us of what can be done when we put the healthcare interests of our community first. Stay tuned for more to come.
Also, keep an eye out for future keynote speakers. We were honored to welcome this year, Dr. Paul G. Harch, a world-renowned, board certified hyperbaric and emergency medicine physician, whose work began in the 80’s with injured divers in the Gulf of Mexico by studying brain decompression illness (DCI). The passion and excitement behind his recounting of the many lives saved by HBOT was infectious. Furthermore, to hear him humbly speak about this groundbreaking research and how it originated here in Louisiana was a highlight for all who attended the presentation. That, and the fact that Dr. Harch spent the entire say Saturday at the conference speaking to visitors at the BrainART/Harch booth once again shows the importance of conferences like ours that involve the public in the sharing of knowledge normally reserved for peers. Dr. Harch was on hand afterward, giving out and signing copies of his book, “The Oxygen Revolution, Third Edition: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT): The Definitive Treatment of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) & Other Disorders.” We cannot thank Dr. Harch and Harch Hyperbarics enough for the inspirational presentation as well as the Brain Injury Association of Louisiana, who sponsored the booth.
In wrapping up the conference and this retrospect, I was and am left with an intense sense of pride and gratitude for the healthcare and wellness community that we have here in Acadiana. I encourage you once again to take a look at all the partners that made the conference possible and take some time to read about the services and programs that they offer. I ask you to consider participating in next year’s conference as an attendee, exhibitor or sponsor. And finally, please join me in thanking these healthcare leaders by sending them a short note via social media, with a phone call to the offices or just stop by and let them know that we join them in supporting and promoting healthcare, wellness, education and community. Thank you all for your support, and we look forward to seeing you next year.
Kindest regards,
Rick Rowan
2019 PIH Conference Director
Your Partners in Healthcare Conference and Expo TEAM💪💪💪
