Creator: Patrick Connole
AHCA’s Porter Cites Strength of DIY Innovation
Clif Porter, head of AHCA/NCAL, opened the group’s annual convention in Boston calling for a revolution of solutions for pushing the sector forward.
In opening remarks to attendees of the AHCA/NCAL annual convention in Boston, the association’s President and CEO Clif Porter leaned into the nation’s 250th anniversary as a way to encourage the sector to innovate to solve problems, even if the efforts are “Do It Yourself” in nature.
“Each of our individual circumstances are different, but the things that unite us are greater than the things that divide us. And when this profession is united, we are powerful. We are a clear, credible voice to those in power. We start culture-change movements, movements that improve care and lives. We lean on each other to get through the day, and we challenge each other to consider the opportunities that lie ahead,” he said.
As an example of this type of initiative, Porter pointed to the efforts of the Arkansas Health Care Association starting its own nursing program. Some 66 LPNs graduated in the first year of the program. And nearly double that number are currently enrolled, Porter said.
“All across the country, our affiliates are aggressively pursuing workforce development programs. At the same time, we’re in Washington, DC, telling Congress, it’s time for a caregiver New Deal so we can see this sort of progress nationwide and build for caregivers for tomorrow,” he said.
Porter said another area of self-propelled innovation beyond workforce challenges focused on value-based care, with the general theme again pointing back to the nation’s roots in the city that spurred a revolution.
“It’s up to us to not just let change happen to us but to actively lead the revolution. The people who gathered in this city over 250 years ago did not know exactly what was going to happen next. The American experiment was uncertain and imperfect from its inception. But they kept forging it, determined to make progress and set their own destiny. And that idea, coming together around a shared purpose to build something better, is part of our story too,” he said.
Comments or questions? Contact Patrick Connole at pconnole@parkplacelive.com.
