Dear Colleagues,

I've always been inspired by the theme of servant leadership as defined by John Gardner. I just ran across this quote: "There must be - in every segment and at every level - individuals capable of taking leader-like action to make their piece of the system work, individuals prepared to accommodate system-wide policy to ground-level realities, men and women who are not afraid to send word back up the line that newly-announced policies need amendment or reversal." If that doesn't describe PCAN, I don't know what does! And, it's time for more system-level reality:  health reform is upon us.

PCAN partners are gearing up for open enrollment in the new health insurance exchanges that are part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010. Various partners have or are applying for federal dollars to hire Market Exchange Navigators to help community member's sign up for coverage (including KidCare and Medicaid for those who are eligible).

PCAN has worked on a co-operative agreement with the University of South Florida on their statewide application (with the exception of Miami/Dade and Broward) to HHS/CMS for Market Exchange Navigators. If the application is accepted, PCAN will hire, train and disseminate 12 Navigators to work in Orange, Osceola, Lake and Seminole Counties. The Navigators will focus on consumers with incomes between 100% and 400% FPL. Insurance enrollment will be open from October 2013 through March 2014. The award recipients will be announced on August 15, 2013. In addition, all three of our Federally Qualified Health Center partners have already received funding for a total of 14 Navigators who will perform similar functions.

In other news, the UCF Business Incubation Program has submitted a Letter of Intent to apply for a Round 2 innovation grant from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid. Their application would address alternative care and payment models for chronic disease management. The PCAN Board voted to be included in the non-binding letter; it will be up to individual PCAN members to participate in the final grant application.

Finally, the Board would like to formally welcome a new member, Marni Stahlman, who is the new CEO for Shepherd's Hope. Marni said that Shepherd's Hope is launching a new recruitment effort for physician and other volunteers.

Best wishes for a happy, productive and ever-challenging summer,

Maureen Kersmarki

PCAN Chairwoman

 Marni Stahlman comes to Shepherd's Hope as the former Senior Director of Operations at United Cerebral Palsy of Central Florida (www.ucpcfl.org). She joined UCP in July, 2009 as the Senior Director of Development where she raised agency development revenues to over 1.3 million (10% of total revenue budget) in the first year through cultivation of major donors, pledges, annual giving campaigns and annual events. She was promoted to the Senior Director of Operations position in February, 2011 becoming operationally and fiscally responsible for a budget of 15 million that included seven Charter Schools with enrollment at approximately 1000 students (in Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties).  

Prior to joining UCP, Marni functioned in executive leadership positions with and for businesses and non-profits, in the healthcare sector, specializing in: strategic planning and alliance development, new business and fund development, organizational methodology, systems integration, personnel management, clinical outcomes, regulatory compliance and information technologies.

She currently serves as the Vice Chairman of the Orange County Educational Facilities Authority, Chairwoman of the Orange County Disability Advisory Board, is an appointed member of the Florida Bar Grievance Committee for the Ninth Circuit and was a Florida Supreme Court appointee to the Florida Bar's Citizen's Forum from 2008-2012. In 1997, the Orlando Business Journal selected Marni, at the age of only 33, as one of the city's "40 Under 40."

Marni is married to her husband Paul and is mother to her 5 year old daughter Lily Mae. She holds a B.S. in Psychology, a dual M.S. in Counseling and Psychology and Ph.D., ABD in Psychology.

 **********************************************************************************

Shepherd's Hope welcomes a new partner to our team, and a new health care center, in an effort to provide access to Healthcare, in the West Orange community,  for those most in need. On June 10th, a Grand Opening celebration was held at our new location at Vista Clinical Diagnostics(10101 West Colonial Drive, Ocoee). Vista Diagnostics and Shepherd's Hope share a common goal, to save lives and give hope, one patient at a time.  Shepherd's Hope transition has now been completed, with 4 geographically located health care centers, in Orange and Seminole Counties, committed to serving those in need.

Families Urged to Vaccinate After Increase in Preventable Diseases

Behavioral Health Companies Merge To Create More Effective And Efficient System Of Care

Lakeside Behavioral Healthcare, The Center for Drug Free Living and Seminole Behavioral Healthcare

form one organization

Orlando, Fla. - Wednesday, June 5, 2013 - Three of the region's most respected behavioral healthcare companies announced today that they will merge on July 1 to create one of the Southeast's largest treatment and prevention service providers.

Lakeside Behavioral Healthcare, The Center for Drug Free Living and Seminole Behavioral Healthcare will become Aspire Health Partners, a collaboration that will create a more effective and efficient system of care designed to increase client and community access to services and remove obstacles to getting help.

Fifty UCF medical students have launched KNIGHTS Clinic in conjunction with Grace Medical Home, a downtown Orlando faith-based nonprofit.

The student-run clinic, which opened its doors Jan. 31, provides uninsured and low-income Central Floridians with complimentary, comprehensive healthcare.

The free clinic is held the first Thursday of each month at Grace Medical Home from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Students plan to add a second session each month in the near future, with the ultimate goal of opening the clinic's doors to the community on a weekly basis.(See Article-UCF Opens Knights Clinic at Grace)

By: Katelyn Schmidt, Marketing Associate