Rochester Business Alliance Press Releases

RBA, GRQC Welcome Disney Institute

1/26/2012 12:00:00 AM

Disney Institute is bringing its renowned professional development program, Disney's Approach to Leadership Excellence, to Rochester on Wednesday, Mar. 28. Sponsored by the Rochester Business Alliance and Greater Rochester Quality Council, the full-day event will allow area professionals to learn how a leader's behaviors are instrumental in conveying values, guiding strategy and inspiring passion and interest among employees. The Rochester Business Journal is media sponsor of the event.

"This is a great opportunity for business professionals to participate in a Disney Institute experience," said Jeff James, vice president for Disney Institute. "It's a day of Disney training that will offer dozens of easy-to-implement, proven ideas that can help transform an organization. The program is as appropriate for project managers and intact work teams as it is for leaders and senior executives."

Disney's Approach to Leadership Excellence gives participants the chance to explore proven Disney leadership philosophies that encourage values that produce results and are fundamental for organizations to grow and succeed.

"In an era where everyone is competing for business and market share, strong leadership is essential for any organization to thrive," James said. "This program is made for businesses in any industry looking to build passionate workforce dedicated to delivering products and services that exceed customer expectations."

The program is set for 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at downtown's Radisson Hotel Rochester Riverside. Registration is $350 per person and includes all course materials, lunch and snacks. For more information and register log on to www.RochesterBusinessAlliance.com. Questions? Email Michele.Hefferon@RBAllliance.com.

About Disney Institute

Disney Institute is the global professional training arm of The Walt Disney Company. One of the most recognized names in professional development, Disney Institute travels the world offering engaging seminars, workshops and presentations, as well as fully customized programming. Immersive learning experiences are also offered at Disney destinations in the United States, Europe and Asia, enabling participants to go behind the scenes and see firsthand how business theory drives operational excellence. The Disney Institute client roster includes Fortune 500 companies as well as a wide range of small businesses, non-profits and government agencies. To learn more, please visit www.disneyinstitute.com, www.facebook.com/disneyinstitute, www.twitter.com/disneyinstitute, or call (321) 939-4600.

26th Annual ATHENA Award Presented to UR's Dr. Judith F. Baumhauer

1/19/2012 12:00:00 AM

Dr. Judith F. Baumhauer, associate chair of Academic Affairs, Orthopaedics at the University of Rochester Medical Center was honored today by the Women's Council of the Rochester Business Alliance as the recipient of its 2012 ATHENA Award.

Baumhauer was chosen from among 15 finalists for her professional leadership, extensive community service and personal leadership in the community.

In nominating Baumhauer for the award, University of Rochester Medical Center CEO Dr. Bradford Berk cited her numerous trailblazing leadership roles. She is the first woman to serve as president of two key organizations - the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society and the Eastern Orthopaedic Association. And when she assumes the presidency of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery - she is currently president-elect - she will be the first woman in that role, as well.

"Dr. Baumhauer has a seat the table as the nation considers the future of health care reform, quality and cost effectiveness," Berk wrote. In her leadership roles, she "helps lead the direction of the organizations and their missions to educate and mentor a combined 35,000 member physicians, and to protect the public with the highest quality of orthopaedic care."

Baumhauer was also credited with expanding services and technology, as well as the number of patients served by UR Orthopaedics. Center, as well as her role as a mentor and coach to faculty and medical students alike. In October 2011, she was honored by URMC with the Marvin J. Hoffman Faculty Mentor Award for "recognition in teaching, research and mentorship." She also served as a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Air Force Reserves from 1997 to 2004

"She has coached countless medical students and residents on the challenges of juggling a demanding surgery schedule, research responsibilities, and a rich life outside of work," Berk wrote. "Women gravitate to her for her mentorship because of her status in the profession, keen networking abilities and a humble, light hearted personality."

Among her community service accomplishments: Serving as a volunteer surgeon in Vietnam in 2010 and 2011, volunteering as a teaching surgeon in India in 2011; volunteering as the on-call orthopedic consultant for the Rochester LPGA since 1999 and conducting diabetic food screenings and community education as asked.

The ATHENA Award is given annually by the Women's Council to a local professional woman who has demonstrated significant achievements in business, community service and the professional advancement of women. The 15 finalists were chosen from nominations made by the community, which were independently reviewed and evaluated by a selection committee in accordance with the award criteria and the key areas of accomplishment it seeks to recognize: professional achievement, community service and support/mentoring of other women. Individual evaluations were tabulated and summarized, and the results were presented to the committee for selection of the recipient.

Sign Up for the Spring 2012 Eat Well, Live Well Challenge

12/29/2011 12:00:00 AM

This award-winning wellness program, designed by Wegmans Food Markets, has already been used by more than 400 local employers as a fun and easy way to help their workers stay healthy. The eight-week program is simple, and encourages participants to make healthy food choices and be more physically active.

To learn more about how you can get your organization involved, attend an upcoming information session on Thurs., Jan. 19 from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at the Rochester Business Alliance, 150 State Street, Third Floor. There is free on-site parking.

The session is free, but registration is required. To register or get more information, contact Colleen DiMartino at (585) 256-4627.

The Challenge, which has been recognized as a model by the federal government, is offered as part of the RBA Health Care Initiative, which seeks ways to keep our region's health care costs down while maintaining quality and improving access to medical care.

RBA wins statewide award for health care initiatives

12/12/2011 12:00:00 AM

Citing business community support for the Rochester Regional Health Information Organization, a statewide group that promotes health information technology honored the Rochester Business Alliance with its annual Gala Award.

The awards, presented during the kick-off of the NYeC Digital Health Conference 2011, recognize individuals and organizations "who have made tremendous contributions to the world of health information technology and health care." Christopher Wiest, vice president of public policy and advocacy for the RBA, accepted the award on behalf of President and CEO, Sandy Parker.

Representatives from the Markle Foundation and the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology were also honored. In addition, six individuals from the New York State Department of Health received special recognition awards as pioneers in supporting health information technology.

The RBA and its members have driven community support for the Rochester RHIO, and Parker has served as board chair since the organization was formed in 2006. The RHIO operates a secure health information exchange that gives authorized doctors online access to accurate, up-to-date clinical data on their patients.

"We have a large and successful RHIO, primarily because of the support of both our health care community and our business community," said Ted Kremer, executive director of the Rochester RHIO. "No one is more deserving of this award than Sandy Parker, and we are proud to have contributed to her recognition as a leader in the advancement of health information technology."

"The RBA formed its Health Care Initiative in response to our members' serious, and ongoing concerns about the impact of rising health care costs on their operations and their employees' well-being," Parker said. "Our goal has been to keep costs in line while maintaining quality and improving access, important work that will benefit the entire community. The Rochester RHIO is an essential part of that, so we are very pleased that this work is being recognized."

The NYeC 2011 gala and awards ceremony were held in Manhattan on Thursday evening, Dec. 1. Proceeds benefit technology-enabled health care transformation in New York.

RBA support for health care

The Rochester Business Alliance is the chamber of commerce for the nine-county Rochester region, which includes Monroe, Genesee, Livingston, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne, Wyoming and Yates counties. Through its RBA Health Care Initiative, chaired by Paul Speranza, vice chairman, secretary and general counsel of Wegmans Food Markets, the chamber has engaged the Finger Lakes Health Systems Agency as well as leadership of local employers to support Rochester RHIO and other initiatives to improve health care:

The RBA/FLHSA High Blood Pressure Collaborative, a community-wide initiative aimed at increasing public awareness of hypertension and enabling people to take better control of the disease.
Eat Well Live Well, a nationally recognized program to improve the health of area employees. Offered in partnership with Wegmans, the eight-week, competitive challenge encourages individuals to increase their physical activity and the amounts of fruits and vegetables consumed, and to track their blood pressure.
Lean Six Sigma in the Hospitals, a collaboration which enables hospitals - with technical support from large employers and financial support from the Greater Rochester Health Foundation - to implement business process improvements to help them reduce costs and increase efficiencies.
Physician Compensation Initiative, an effort to help the community recruit and retain physicians in primary care or targeted specialty areas by collaborating to make reimbursements more competitive.
Increase Utilization of Generics, a collaborative effort between employers, providers and insurers to reduce the fill rates of brand-name medications, which average approximately nine times the cost of generic alternatives.

About Rochester RHIO
Rochester RHIO is a secure electronic health information exchange serving authorized medical providers and consenting patients in Monroe, Allegany, Chemung, Genesee, Livingston, Ontario, Orleans, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Wayne, Wyoming and Yates counties in Upstate New York.

The service allows a medical care team to share records across institutions and practices, making patient information available wherever and whenever needed to provide the best care. Patients benefit from fewer repeated tests, easier second opinions, a reduced risk of mistakes caused by poor handwriting or incomplete records, and more informed care during office visits and emergencies.

Physicians and patients can learn more about Rochester RHIO by visiting RochesterRHIO.org or by calling 877-865-RHIO (7446).

Tickets available for 2012 ATHENA Awards luncheon

11/21/2011 12:00:00 AM

Tickets are now on sale for the 26th Annual ATHENA Awards luncheon, set for noon to 1:30 p.m. Jan. 19 at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center.

The Rochester Business Alliance's Women's Council will honor 15 women chosen as finalists for the award for demonstrating significant achievements in business, community service and the professional advancement of women.

The 2012 ATHENA Award recipient will be announced at the luncheon. The ATHENA Award is given annually by the Women's Council to a local professional woman who has demonstrated significant achievements in business, community service and the professional advancement of women. The 2011 recipient was Kitty Van Bortel, president, Van Bortel Ford, Van Bortel Subaru and Van Bortel Used Car Center.

The 2012 finalists are:

Kim Barrett, owner/broker with Magellan Real Estate and Relocation
Dr. Judith F. Baumhauer, associate chair of Academic Affairs, Orthopaedics, University of Rochester Medical Center
Dr. Mary Beth Cooper, vice president for Student Affairs, Rochester Institute of Technology
Dr. Mary L. Dombovy, vice president, Department of Rehabilitation and Neurology; chair, Acute Rehabilitation and Brain Injury Program; medical director, Stroke Center; and medical director, Spine Center at Unity Health System
Victoria Godwin Hines, president and CEO, Visiting Nurse Services of Rochester and Monroe County and Community Care of Rochester
Laurie Haelen, Western New York managing director, Tompkins Financial Advisors
Pamela P. Heald, president and CEO, Reliant Community Federal Credit Union
Angella Luyk, president and CEO, Midnight Janitorial Inc.
Diane McCue, retired general manager and corporate vice president, Printing Plates Division, Eastman Kodak Co.
Diana Nole, president, Digital Medical Solutions Division, Carestream Health Inc.
Susan S. Robfogel, partner, Nixon Peabody
Deborah C. Stamps, vice president and chief nursing officers, Newark Way, Rochester General Health System
Gwen K. Sterns, chief, Dept. of Ophthalmology, Rochester General Health System
Cheryl Lynn Yawman, practice director, Cochran Cochran & Yale
Leslie Zornow, senior vice president, Fairport Savings Bank.

Tickets for the ATHENA luncheon are $85 per person or $700 for a table of 10 (ticket sale proceeds to benefit the Young Women of Distinction Scholarship Program).

Patron tables are also available for $1,500, and include sponsorship recognition and an invitation to a private reception honoring the finalists, sponsored by the E. Philip Saunders College of Business at the Rochester Institute of Technology.

Reservation deadline is Jan. 15. For information or to purchase tickets/tables, contact Susan George at the Rochester Business Alliance at (585) 256-4612 or Susan.George@RBAlliance.com.

The Women's Council is an affiliate of the Rochester Business Alliance. Some of the past ATHENA recipients include Kitty Van Bortel, president, Van Bortel Ford, Van Bortel Subaru and Van Bortel Used Car Center, Jennifer Leonard, CEO of the Rochester Area Community Foundation, Holly Hillberg, former chief technology officer and vice president of Carestream Health, Inc., Dr. Ruth Lawrence, pediatrician at the University of Rochester Medical Center, and Patricia Malgieri, former deputy mayor of Rochester.