Health Partners salutes Hal Augustine, recipient of the Health ...
Health Partners salutes Hal Augustine, recipient of the Health ...
Health Partners salutes Hal Augustine, recipient of the Health ...
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<strong>Health</strong> <strong>Partners</strong><br />
<strong>salutes</strong> <strong>Hal</strong> <strong>Augustine</strong>,<br />
<strong>recipient</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
<strong>Health</strong> <strong>Partners</strong><br />
Foundation’s first-ever<br />
Lamplighter award.<br />
<strong>Hal</strong> <strong>Augustine</strong>, Vice President & Chief<br />
Information Officer, is <strong>the</strong> first <strong>recipient</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> <strong>Health</strong> <strong>Partners</strong> Foundation’s (HPF)<br />
Lamplighter’s Award. This newly created<br />
award is given to a <strong>Health</strong> <strong>Partners</strong><br />
employee who has demonstrated a strong<br />
commitment to <strong>the</strong> Foundation and<br />
successfully landed a significant donation to<br />
fund <strong>the</strong> Foundation's various programs and<br />
projects. <strong>Hal</strong>, 2005’s Spirit <strong>of</strong> <strong>Health</strong><br />
<strong>Partners</strong> Award <strong>recipient</strong> and an invaluable<br />
leader in our organization, recently secured a<br />
$1000 donation from PAETEC<br />
Communications to support <strong>the</strong> Foundation’s<br />
community outreach efforts.<br />
To mark his dedication to HPF, <strong>Hal</strong>’s<br />
name, along with that <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> donating<br />
organization and <strong>the</strong> dollar amount, is<br />
currently displayed on a banner attached to<br />
<strong>the</strong> Lamppost that was used at our recent<br />
Open House and Lamp Lighting Ceremony.<br />
At various intervals throughout <strong>the</strong> year, a<br />
new HPF Lamplighter and donating<br />
organization will be recognized in <strong>the</strong><br />
display.<br />
HPF was founded and continues to be<br />
significantly funded by <strong>Health</strong> <strong>Partners</strong><br />
employees, with <strong>the</strong> help <strong>of</strong> supportive<br />
vendors and o<strong>the</strong>r individuals. Through <strong>the</strong><br />
generosity <strong>of</strong> its supporters, HPF truly<br />
makes a pr<strong>of</strong>ound impact on our community.<br />
Some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Foundation’s many outreach<br />
initiatives include <strong>the</strong> “Making Dreams<br />
Reality” scholarship program for high achieving, low-income students and <strong>the</strong> “Be There” perfect attendance program, for students who<br />
achieve perfect attendance during <strong>the</strong> school year.<br />
In addition, HPF provides food and clothing for disadvantaged families; helps men and women seeking employment through welfare-towork<br />
and post-rehabilitation programs; and assists needy families in crisis, helping to pay heating and cooling bills and funeral expenses.<br />
Please join us in congratulating <strong>Hal</strong> <strong>Augustine</strong> on receiving <strong>the</strong> first-ever HPF Lamplighter’s Award!<br />
HP is Spam Free<br />
Spam, or unsolicited electronic junk mail, <strong>of</strong>ten in <strong>the</strong> form <strong>of</strong><br />
advertising, is sent repeatedly to mass distribution lists, flooding email<br />
inboxes everywhere. These messages can be annoying, intrusive and a<br />
waste <strong>of</strong> time and energy. Additionaly, <strong>the</strong>y <strong>of</strong>ten eat up network<br />
bandwidth and email server space.<br />
<strong>Health</strong> <strong>Partners</strong>’ IS department has <strong>the</strong> solution! The “Ironmail”<br />
spam prevention system stands watch 24-7, blocking thousands <strong>of</strong><br />
unwanted messages each day. As new forms <strong>of</strong> spam are generated and<br />
sent, “Ironmail” receives updates to block <strong>the</strong>m. Once a new system<br />
update has been received for a particular form <strong>of</strong> spam, <strong>the</strong> block<br />
becomes permanent and that message never returns.<br />
Occasionally, however, it can take a few days for <strong>the</strong> system to<br />
catch up with <strong>the</strong> latest spam, which may allow a message or two to<br />
get through. If any spam has made its way through to you, please<br />
contact <strong>the</strong> Helpdesk by accessing Heat Self Service or by calling<br />
ext. 4357.<br />
Weekly Pulse 06/05/2006 Page 1
HP Leaders Publish In Our Own<br />
Words Effective Management Guide<br />
Earlier this year, <strong>Health</strong> <strong>Partners</strong>’ Organizational Learning<br />
Center (OLC) announced a new initiative called <strong>the</strong><br />
Executive Invitational, an effort to help leaders at all levels<br />
within our organization enhance and enrich <strong>the</strong>ir leadership<br />
skills. The first series, which took place in April, was called<br />
<strong>the</strong> “Leader’s Daily Dozen” (based on <strong>the</strong> principles<br />
contained in John C. Maxwell’s book - The 360˚ Leader).<br />
At this first workshop, conducted by Bill Austin,<br />
Manager, Organizational Learning Center, leaders<br />
throughout <strong>the</strong> organization shared <strong>the</strong>ir thoughts about<br />
what it means to be a good, effective leader. One <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
many positive outcomes from <strong>the</strong> Invitation was <strong>the</strong><br />
development <strong>of</strong> an informative booklet called In Our Own<br />
Words. This collaborative effort, spearheaded by Bill<br />
Austin and co-authored by 41 o<strong>the</strong>r <strong>Health</strong> <strong>Partners</strong> leaders,<br />
is a collection <strong>of</strong> thoughts and notes that attendees shared<br />
during <strong>the</strong>ir sessions regarding <strong>the</strong> practical application <strong>of</strong><br />
Maxwell’s “Daily Dozen.” To get a copy <strong>of</strong> In Our Own<br />
Words, contact Bill Austin in <strong>the</strong> OLC.<br />
<strong>Health</strong> <strong>Partners</strong> Law Unit:<br />
Defense Team in Action<br />
When it comes to appealing a denial or reduction in<br />
service, <strong>Health</strong> <strong>Partners</strong> members have options. Of course,<br />
<strong>the</strong>y can take advantage <strong>of</strong> our internal complaint and<br />
grievance process, but did you know that members can also<br />
file a simultaneous appeal by requesting a Fair Hearing<br />
with <strong>the</strong> Federal Bureau <strong>of</strong> Hearings and Appeals<br />
Fair Hearings are handled by <strong>the</strong> Law Unit <strong>of</strong> <strong>Health</strong><br />
<strong>Partners</strong>’ Legal Affairs Department. The Law Unit’s job is<br />
to defend assessments made by o<strong>the</strong>r departments at <strong>Health</strong><br />
<strong>Partners</strong>, who coordinate and deliver member care services.<br />
However, if possible, <strong>the</strong> Unit seeks to work with <strong>the</strong>se<br />
o<strong>the</strong>r departments to resolve appeals before <strong>the</strong>y go to<br />
Hearing. Sometimes it’s just a matter <strong>of</strong> reaching out to <strong>the</strong><br />
member to explain in more detail why <strong>the</strong> request was<br />
denied. This <strong>of</strong>ten results in an appeal withdraw, which<br />
ends up saving time and money for <strong>Health</strong> <strong>Partners</strong>.<br />
“If, after investigating <strong>the</strong> issue, we find that we could<br />
not have done anything differently,” explains Christine<br />
Lewis, Paralegal for Legal Affairs, “<strong>the</strong> Law Unit is<br />
prepared to defend <strong>Health</strong> <strong>Partners</strong>’ position with <strong>the</strong> help<br />
<strong>of</strong> witnesses from various departments within <strong>the</strong><br />
organization.”<br />
In 2005, <strong>the</strong> Law Unit investigated and prepared to<br />
defend 41 Fair Hearing cases and our statistics were<br />
excellent! Overall, 28 cases were “won” by <strong>the</strong> Law Unit,<br />
ei<strong>the</strong>r resulting in <strong>the</strong> Court upholding <strong>Health</strong> <strong>Partners</strong>’<br />
position or granting <strong>the</strong> Law Unit’s motion to dismiss <strong>the</strong><br />
case based on a legal/procedural issue. Additionally, 12<br />
cases were withdrawn before going to Hearing and one<br />
appeal was overturned in favor <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> member.<br />
These excellent statistics show how <strong>the</strong> Legal Affairs’<br />
Law Unit uses legal training and business skills to work<br />
with o<strong>the</strong>r <strong>Health</strong> <strong>Partners</strong> departments toward <strong>the</strong><br />
corporate goal <strong>of</strong> achieving operational excellence.<br />
Claudia Tucker-Keto, Manager, Community Affairs, introduces Angelia<br />
Nelson, PhD, author <strong>of</strong> “The Ghetto Is Not My Final Destination” and<br />
guest speaker, at <strong>the</strong> <strong>Health</strong> <strong>Partners</strong> Foundation’s “Be There” perfect<br />
attendance awards ceremony at <strong>the</strong> National Liberty Museum last<br />
week. During <strong>the</strong> ceremony, nearly 70 high school students from<br />
Murrell Dobbins Vocational Technical High School, Norristown Area<br />
High School, Randolph Career Academy, and Roosevelt Alternative<br />
School, were honored for achieving perfect attendance for at least three<br />
marking periods during <strong>the</strong> 2005-2006 school year.<br />
<strong>Health</strong> <strong>Partners</strong> saluted Porter’s Day Care and Educational Center<br />
(PDCEC) during its 25th Anniversary celebration at City <strong>Hal</strong>l last<br />
week. Pictured (L-r): Darlene J. Davis, Director <strong>of</strong> Finance,<br />
PDCEC; Deborah D. Greasham, Executive Director, PDCEC; and<br />
Leyla Moreno, Public Affairs Representative, <strong>Health</strong> <strong>Partners</strong>.<br />
Congratulations to:<br />
Terra Swiggett, Manager <strong>of</strong> Specialty Programs, Provider<br />
Affairs Specialist Network, who recently graduated with<br />
honors and received her Master <strong>of</strong> Jurisprudence (MJ) degree<br />
in <strong>Health</strong> Law from Widener University’s School <strong>of</strong> Law.<br />
Way to go, Terra!<br />
Weekly Pulse 06/05/2006 Page 2
HP IN THE COMMUNITY<br />
The Wellness <strong>of</strong> You,<br />
Inc. treated<br />
elementary school<br />
students at <strong>the</strong><br />
Universal Institute<br />
Charter School and<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir parents to a funfilled<br />
day <strong>of</strong> face<br />
painting, aerobics<br />
demonstrations,<br />
mascot appearances<br />
and more at <strong>the</strong><br />
Eighth Annual<br />
Children’s Wellness<br />
<strong>Health</strong> Fair,<br />
sponsored in part by<br />
<strong>Health</strong> <strong>Partners</strong>.<br />
Pictured clockwise:<br />
Lamont Queen,<br />
<strong>Health</strong> <strong>Partners</strong>;<br />
Leyla Moreno, <strong>Health</strong><br />
<strong>Partners</strong>; Terry<br />
Mulligan, The<br />
Wellness <strong>of</strong> You, Inc.;<br />
Soulman,<br />
Philadelphia Soul;<br />
Swoop, Philadelphia<br />
76er’s; and students<br />
from <strong>the</strong> Universal<br />
Institute Charter<br />
School.<br />
Pre-schoolers from <strong>the</strong> Bucks Meadows YWCA don red, blue and gold caps and gowns, courtesy <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Health</strong> <strong>Partners</strong>, during <strong>the</strong>ir recent graduation ceremony. Back row (L-r): Leela Samson, Children’s<br />
Center Coordinator, YWCA <strong>of</strong> Bucks County; Lorna Michelson, Executive Director, YWCA <strong>of</strong> Bucks<br />
County; Netta Hughes, Public Affairs Representative, <strong>Health</strong> <strong>Partners</strong>; Kristin Chapin, Director <strong>of</strong> Youth<br />
Services, YWCA <strong>of</strong> Bucks County; and Malini Chandra, Assistant Teacher, YWCA <strong>of</strong> Bucks County,<br />
celebrate with <strong>the</strong> graduating class <strong>of</strong> 2006.<br />
In <strong>the</strong> News<br />
A photograph <strong>of</strong> Felicia Phillips, Senior<br />
Communications Specialist; Judy<br />
Harrington, Vice President <strong>of</strong> Business<br />
Development; Sylvester Johnson,<br />
Philadelphia Police Commissioner; and<br />
Terri Heavens, Vice President <strong>of</strong><br />
Corporate Communications and Public<br />
Affairs, at <strong>the</strong> 2006 PAL Silent Auction<br />
and Awards Ceremony, was included in<br />
<strong>the</strong> May 25 issue <strong>of</strong> The Public Record.<br />
<strong>Health</strong> <strong>Partners</strong> was mentioned in an<br />
article about Rep. Ronald Water’s Third<br />
Annual Senior Luncheon in <strong>the</strong> May 25<br />
issue <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Public Record . A<br />
photograph <strong>of</strong> Jorge Lopez, Medicare<br />
Sales Representative and Rep. Waters,<br />
was included in <strong>the</strong> photo spread that<br />
accompanied <strong>the</strong> article.<br />
An announcement about Don<br />
Daddario’s promotion to Senior Vice<br />
President <strong>of</strong> Pharmacy Business and<br />
Debra Kircher’s promotion to Senior<br />
Vice President <strong>of</strong> Operations, was<br />
included in <strong>the</strong> business section <strong>of</strong><br />
today’s Philadelphia Inquirer. Headshots<br />
<strong>of</strong> Don and Debra were also included.<br />
Weekly Pulse 06/05/2006 Page 3