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New health policy and advocacy committee (HPAC)
What a privilege it has been over the last several months to participate as staff support along with Jenny Nemkovich and Michelle Kosobucki to CHEST’s new Health Policy and Advocacy Committee (HPAC). The opportunity to serve on a committee of CHEST from the perspective of staff rather than in a volunteer/leadership role has been very enlightening and clearly a learning experience.
Background
As most know, CHEST in the summer of 2019 made the decision to proactively strengthen our position in the areas of public policy, both advocacy and the regulatory space.
This decision will provide CHEST with the mechanism to have greater control over determining and influencing the pulmonary, critical care, and sleep agenda that directly impacts our members and our patients. Adding this piece to the CHEST portfolio is particularly fortuitous in light of the increased advocacy needs in this COVID-19 environment. Having recently completed the acquisition of NAMDRC, CHEST has jump-started our return to this space. While this acquisition does not represent a single source solution, it does represent a key component to a comprehensive approach to policy and advocacy. The rich experience of our new colleagues from NAMDRC brings incredible value and insights to our efforts.
Health policy and advocacy committee
The initial composition of the HPAC is made up of equal numbers of members drawn from the NAMDRC leadership pool, as well as members of both the CHEST Foundation Board of Trustees and the Board of Regents of the College. This group represents a very energetic, talented, and diverse group. Experience in the space of policy and advocacy in areas such as home ventilation, oxygen issues, telemedicine, and pulmonary rehab reimbursement is blended with presidential leadership of both the CHEST Foundation and CHEST, as well as talent in areas such as coding and reimbursement, social media applications, and also leadership representing our NetWorks.
Policy priorities
Having had three virtual meetings, the HPAC has initially been focusing on developing and discussing an initial group of policy priorities. These topics are being vetted and held to a rigorous discussion, including what success looks like in these areas, potential barriers or obstacles to making an impact, and who could represent important collaborative partners in these areas. These priorities will be coupled with an effort to define short-term and longer term performance indicators to help try to assess meaningful impact. Once these are better defined, we plan to reach out to our CHEST NetWorks, partners in Industry, sister societies, and friends in patient advocacy groups to get their input and, when appropriate, their collaboration. The BOR will be kept informed and eventually comment and hopefully endorse these policy priorities.
Member engagement
In my opinion, our approach in this area of policy and advocacy is somewhat unique in the associational arena. Rather than policy staff driving the agenda, we are following the example of other committees at CHEST in having volunteers and leadership developing the “what” and staff creating the “how.” At that point, a team of leadership/staff will deliver the product. I feel that this somewhat “bottom up” approach will lead to much more productive and effective member engagement and a growing group of advocacy aware and committed members.
Washington watchline
To complement the work of HPAC and better communicate important issues related to policy and advocacy, our Publications team, led by Nicki Augustyn, has taken over the production of what was NAMDRC’s valuable periodical, the Washington Watchline. Under the editorship for many years of past CHEST President, Jim Mathers, MD, FCCP, this resource has been a valuable and respected source of information for NAMDRC membership. The June edition has recently been published.
Spring meeting, 2021
The HPAC’s Chair and Vice-Chair, Drs. Neil Freedman and Jim Lamberti, are serving as the Program Directors for our first meeting that will blend the NAMDRC perspective and experience in a program around policy and advocacy with the traditional expertise in education delivery of CHEST. This meeting will be in conjunction with our Spring Leadership meetings in Sonoma, California. Save the date, as this promises to be a great meeting, with unique educational opportunities and policy and advocacy insights.
Thanks again to the members of HPAC and to Bob Musacchio for giving me an opportunity to provide staff assistance in this exciting new endeavor for CHEST.
What a privilege it has been over the last several months to participate as staff support along with Jenny Nemkovich and Michelle Kosobucki to CHEST’s new Health Policy and Advocacy Committee (HPAC). The opportunity to serve on a committee of CHEST from the perspective of staff rather than in a volunteer/leadership role has been very enlightening and clearly a learning experience.
Background
As most know, CHEST in the summer of 2019 made the decision to proactively strengthen our position in the areas of public policy, both advocacy and the regulatory space.
This decision will provide CHEST with the mechanism to have greater control over determining and influencing the pulmonary, critical care, and sleep agenda that directly impacts our members and our patients. Adding this piece to the CHEST portfolio is particularly fortuitous in light of the increased advocacy needs in this COVID-19 environment. Having recently completed the acquisition of NAMDRC, CHEST has jump-started our return to this space. While this acquisition does not represent a single source solution, it does represent a key component to a comprehensive approach to policy and advocacy. The rich experience of our new colleagues from NAMDRC brings incredible value and insights to our efforts.
Health policy and advocacy committee
The initial composition of the HPAC is made up of equal numbers of members drawn from the NAMDRC leadership pool, as well as members of both the CHEST Foundation Board of Trustees and the Board of Regents of the College. This group represents a very energetic, talented, and diverse group. Experience in the space of policy and advocacy in areas such as home ventilation, oxygen issues, telemedicine, and pulmonary rehab reimbursement is blended with presidential leadership of both the CHEST Foundation and CHEST, as well as talent in areas such as coding and reimbursement, social media applications, and also leadership representing our NetWorks.
Policy priorities
Having had three virtual meetings, the HPAC has initially been focusing on developing and discussing an initial group of policy priorities. These topics are being vetted and held to a rigorous discussion, including what success looks like in these areas, potential barriers or obstacles to making an impact, and who could represent important collaborative partners in these areas. These priorities will be coupled with an effort to define short-term and longer term performance indicators to help try to assess meaningful impact. Once these are better defined, we plan to reach out to our CHEST NetWorks, partners in Industry, sister societies, and friends in patient advocacy groups to get their input and, when appropriate, their collaboration. The BOR will be kept informed and eventually comment and hopefully endorse these policy priorities.
Member engagement
In my opinion, our approach in this area of policy and advocacy is somewhat unique in the associational arena. Rather than policy staff driving the agenda, we are following the example of other committees at CHEST in having volunteers and leadership developing the “what” and staff creating the “how.” At that point, a team of leadership/staff will deliver the product. I feel that this somewhat “bottom up” approach will lead to much more productive and effective member engagement and a growing group of advocacy aware and committed members.
Washington watchline
To complement the work of HPAC and better communicate important issues related to policy and advocacy, our Publications team, led by Nicki Augustyn, has taken over the production of what was NAMDRC’s valuable periodical, the Washington Watchline. Under the editorship for many years of past CHEST President, Jim Mathers, MD, FCCP, this resource has been a valuable and respected source of information for NAMDRC membership. The June edition has recently been published.
Spring meeting, 2021
The HPAC’s Chair and Vice-Chair, Drs. Neil Freedman and Jim Lamberti, are serving as the Program Directors for our first meeting that will blend the NAMDRC perspective and experience in a program around policy and advocacy with the traditional expertise in education delivery of CHEST. This meeting will be in conjunction with our Spring Leadership meetings in Sonoma, California. Save the date, as this promises to be a great meeting, with unique educational opportunities and policy and advocacy insights.
Thanks again to the members of HPAC and to Bob Musacchio for giving me an opportunity to provide staff assistance in this exciting new endeavor for CHEST.
What a privilege it has been over the last several months to participate as staff support along with Jenny Nemkovich and Michelle Kosobucki to CHEST’s new Health Policy and Advocacy Committee (HPAC). The opportunity to serve on a committee of CHEST from the perspective of staff rather than in a volunteer/leadership role has been very enlightening and clearly a learning experience.
Background
As most know, CHEST in the summer of 2019 made the decision to proactively strengthen our position in the areas of public policy, both advocacy and the regulatory space.
This decision will provide CHEST with the mechanism to have greater control over determining and influencing the pulmonary, critical care, and sleep agenda that directly impacts our members and our patients. Adding this piece to the CHEST portfolio is particularly fortuitous in light of the increased advocacy needs in this COVID-19 environment. Having recently completed the acquisition of NAMDRC, CHEST has jump-started our return to this space. While this acquisition does not represent a single source solution, it does represent a key component to a comprehensive approach to policy and advocacy. The rich experience of our new colleagues from NAMDRC brings incredible value and insights to our efforts.
Health policy and advocacy committee
The initial composition of the HPAC is made up of equal numbers of members drawn from the NAMDRC leadership pool, as well as members of both the CHEST Foundation Board of Trustees and the Board of Regents of the College. This group represents a very energetic, talented, and diverse group. Experience in the space of policy and advocacy in areas such as home ventilation, oxygen issues, telemedicine, and pulmonary rehab reimbursement is blended with presidential leadership of both the CHEST Foundation and CHEST, as well as talent in areas such as coding and reimbursement, social media applications, and also leadership representing our NetWorks.
Policy priorities
Having had three virtual meetings, the HPAC has initially been focusing on developing and discussing an initial group of policy priorities. These topics are being vetted and held to a rigorous discussion, including what success looks like in these areas, potential barriers or obstacles to making an impact, and who could represent important collaborative partners in these areas. These priorities will be coupled with an effort to define short-term and longer term performance indicators to help try to assess meaningful impact. Once these are better defined, we plan to reach out to our CHEST NetWorks, partners in Industry, sister societies, and friends in patient advocacy groups to get their input and, when appropriate, their collaboration. The BOR will be kept informed and eventually comment and hopefully endorse these policy priorities.
Member engagement
In my opinion, our approach in this area of policy and advocacy is somewhat unique in the associational arena. Rather than policy staff driving the agenda, we are following the example of other committees at CHEST in having volunteers and leadership developing the “what” and staff creating the “how.” At that point, a team of leadership/staff will deliver the product. I feel that this somewhat “bottom up” approach will lead to much more productive and effective member engagement and a growing group of advocacy aware and committed members.
Washington watchline
To complement the work of HPAC and better communicate important issues related to policy and advocacy, our Publications team, led by Nicki Augustyn, has taken over the production of what was NAMDRC’s valuable periodical, the Washington Watchline. Under the editorship for many years of past CHEST President, Jim Mathers, MD, FCCP, this resource has been a valuable and respected source of information for NAMDRC membership. The June edition has recently been published.
Spring meeting, 2021
The HPAC’s Chair and Vice-Chair, Drs. Neil Freedman and Jim Lamberti, are serving as the Program Directors for our first meeting that will blend the NAMDRC perspective and experience in a program around policy and advocacy with the traditional expertise in education delivery of CHEST. This meeting will be in conjunction with our Spring Leadership meetings in Sonoma, California. Save the date, as this promises to be a great meeting, with unique educational opportunities and policy and advocacy insights.
Thanks again to the members of HPAC and to Bob Musacchio for giving me an opportunity to provide staff assistance in this exciting new endeavor for CHEST.
A year in review with CHEST President, John Studdard, MD, FCCP
Wow, what an incredible year this has been! Serving as CHEST President from the end of CHEST 2017 until the CHEST Annual Meeting in San Antonio—in early October 2018--means I’ve served one of the shortest presidencies in CHEST history. I must say, however, that it has been a phenomenal year for me personally, highlighted not only by the accomplishments outlined below, but by the opportunity to meet so many new people and to grow existing relationships both for myself and for CHEST. I am so proud and excited by the meaningful work being done by our volunteers, staff, and leadership. Thank you for the incredibly humbling opportunity to work with you and to serve CHEST this year.
Since joining CHEST in 1982, I’ve had the opportunity to observe and learn from so many great leaders, each with different strengths and styles of leadership. I also have learned so much from members of our staff at all levels, as well as members of our leadership who serve as committee chairs, NetWork leaders, faculty representatives, and more, all giving so unselfishly of their time and talent to this organization. In addition, I was blessed this year to work with a special Board of Regents—experienced, engaged, professional in their approach, supportive, strategic, representing diversity of thought and passionate about this organization.
Throughout the 2017-2018 fiscal year, CHEST’s Board of Regents worked tirelessly to refine CHEST’s mission and vision and to develop goals, strategies, and key performance indicators to develop a new, 5-year strategic plan. Our organizational goals going forward are focused on several broad areas of achievement. To achieve these goals, we need to continue investing in and expanding our efforts in key areas like Membership, Education, and Publishing. We need to focus our attention on key groups like clinician educators, young leaders and young members, and embracing diversity of thought and meaningful inclusion, paying attention to gaps, barriers, and opportunities.
As I look to our updated CHEST mission--“To champion the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of chest diseases through education, communication, and research”—as I look at the areas of achievement over the past year, and as I look to the strategic plan and what lies ahead, in my opinion there is no finish line, and there will always be more work to do.
Thank you to the CHEST volunteers, staff, leadership, and partners for your unwavering support of CHEST and our mission. We could not be successful without you.
First released as a Thought Leaders Blog on chestnet.org, September 30, 2018.
Wow, what an incredible year this has been! Serving as CHEST President from the end of CHEST 2017 until the CHEST Annual Meeting in San Antonio—in early October 2018--means I’ve served one of the shortest presidencies in CHEST history. I must say, however, that it has been a phenomenal year for me personally, highlighted not only by the accomplishments outlined below, but by the opportunity to meet so many new people and to grow existing relationships both for myself and for CHEST. I am so proud and excited by the meaningful work being done by our volunteers, staff, and leadership. Thank you for the incredibly humbling opportunity to work with you and to serve CHEST this year.
Since joining CHEST in 1982, I’ve had the opportunity to observe and learn from so many great leaders, each with different strengths and styles of leadership. I also have learned so much from members of our staff at all levels, as well as members of our leadership who serve as committee chairs, NetWork leaders, faculty representatives, and more, all giving so unselfishly of their time and talent to this organization. In addition, I was blessed this year to work with a special Board of Regents—experienced, engaged, professional in their approach, supportive, strategic, representing diversity of thought and passionate about this organization.
Throughout the 2017-2018 fiscal year, CHEST’s Board of Regents worked tirelessly to refine CHEST’s mission and vision and to develop goals, strategies, and key performance indicators to develop a new, 5-year strategic plan. Our organizational goals going forward are focused on several broad areas of achievement. To achieve these goals, we need to continue investing in and expanding our efforts in key areas like Membership, Education, and Publishing. We need to focus our attention on key groups like clinician educators, young leaders and young members, and embracing diversity of thought and meaningful inclusion, paying attention to gaps, barriers, and opportunities.
As I look to our updated CHEST mission--“To champion the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of chest diseases through education, communication, and research”—as I look at the areas of achievement over the past year, and as I look to the strategic plan and what lies ahead, in my opinion there is no finish line, and there will always be more work to do.
Thank you to the CHEST volunteers, staff, leadership, and partners for your unwavering support of CHEST and our mission. We could not be successful without you.
First released as a Thought Leaders Blog on chestnet.org, September 30, 2018.
Wow, what an incredible year this has been! Serving as CHEST President from the end of CHEST 2017 until the CHEST Annual Meeting in San Antonio—in early October 2018--means I’ve served one of the shortest presidencies in CHEST history. I must say, however, that it has been a phenomenal year for me personally, highlighted not only by the accomplishments outlined below, but by the opportunity to meet so many new people and to grow existing relationships both for myself and for CHEST. I am so proud and excited by the meaningful work being done by our volunteers, staff, and leadership. Thank you for the incredibly humbling opportunity to work with you and to serve CHEST this year.
Since joining CHEST in 1982, I’ve had the opportunity to observe and learn from so many great leaders, each with different strengths and styles of leadership. I also have learned so much from members of our staff at all levels, as well as members of our leadership who serve as committee chairs, NetWork leaders, faculty representatives, and more, all giving so unselfishly of their time and talent to this organization. In addition, I was blessed this year to work with a special Board of Regents—experienced, engaged, professional in their approach, supportive, strategic, representing diversity of thought and passionate about this organization.
Throughout the 2017-2018 fiscal year, CHEST’s Board of Regents worked tirelessly to refine CHEST’s mission and vision and to develop goals, strategies, and key performance indicators to develop a new, 5-year strategic plan. Our organizational goals going forward are focused on several broad areas of achievement. To achieve these goals, we need to continue investing in and expanding our efforts in key areas like Membership, Education, and Publishing. We need to focus our attention on key groups like clinician educators, young leaders and young members, and embracing diversity of thought and meaningful inclusion, paying attention to gaps, barriers, and opportunities.
As I look to our updated CHEST mission--“To champion the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of chest diseases through education, communication, and research”—as I look at the areas of achievement over the past year, and as I look to the strategic plan and what lies ahead, in my opinion there is no finish line, and there will always be more work to do.
Thank you to the CHEST volunteers, staff, leadership, and partners for your unwavering support of CHEST and our mission. We could not be successful without you.
First released as a Thought Leaders Blog on chestnet.org, September 30, 2018.