HPAE’s 2017 Professional Issues Conference
HPAE members from across New Jersey and southeastern Pennsylvania came together Thursday, October 5 for our 2017 Professional Issues Conference (PIC), “Our Professions. Our Voice. Our Power.”
In addition to a variety of informative workshops, we were joined by Assemblywoman Shelia Oliver, who is running for Lt. Governor with Phil Murphy, the Democratic nominee for New Jersey governor, and NJ Senate candidate Vin Gopal.
Lilo Stainton speaking to the PIC attendees
HPAE President Ann Twomey opened the conference and introduced the keynote speaker, Lilo Stainton, a journalist who specializes in healthcare issues for NJ Spotlight. Lilo discussed some of the key healthcare issues currently facing New Jersey, including the rise of for-profit healthcare institutions and the need for greater oversight by the NJ Dept. of Health.
After the keynote speech, we had a full schedule of workshops on the following topics:
- Patient Safety and Just Culture – Facilitated by John Campbell-Orde, PASNAP
- The Opioid Crisis – Facilitated by Heidi Hansen (HPAE Staff), Bob Davis (5091), Sheila Shicker (5629), and Katie Vaughan (5629)
- One-on-One Communications Skills for Organizing – Facilitated by Phil Denniston (HPAE Organizing Director)
- Medical Debt – Facilitated by Teala Quaterman, New Jersey Communities United
- Advancing Excellence in Healthcare Through the State and Federal Governments – Facilitated by Pete Guzzo, TTP Government Relations
- Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction – Facilitated by Maria Alonso Martinez
- Safe Staffing/Safe Work – Facilitated by Sara Markle, AFT Safety and Health
- Legal Developments Affecting Our Collective Voice at Work – Facilitated by Emma Rebhorn (HPAE Counsel)
- Core Competencies For Emerging Leadership – Facilitated by Chris Whalen (HPAE Executive Director)
- Strategies for Improving Workplace Standards – Facilitated by Phil Denniston (HPAE Organizing Director)
After the workshops, we held a “meet and greet” featuring Sheila Oliver. Assemblywoman Oliver emphasized the issues at stake in the upcoming election for Governor, Lt. Governor, and all the state legislative positions in New Jersey. With Governor Christie on his way out, we have a great opportunity to advance a progressive, pro-labor agenda in New Jersey, including staffing legislation and an increase in the minimum wage. Oliver highlighted the important role that HPAE has played in the legislative and political arenas, and urged HPAE members to participate in election activities over the next month.
Photos below from our 2017 PIC:
