RCEC focuses on rising role of retail clinicians
ORLANDO, Fla. There is still time to register for the second annual Retail Clinician Education Congress, hosted by Retail Clinician, a publication of The Drug Store News Group, and the Convenient Care Association.
The role that these clinics play continues to grow increasingly vital as patients battle rising health care costs and an overburdened healthcare system. There are currently more than 1,100 clinics in operation.
This year’s event will be held Aug. 3 to 5 at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin. More than 500 nurse practitioners from across the nation are expected to attend. Those who attend can fine-tune their skills, while earning up to 13 CE/CME credits and learning about the latest products and services the industry has to offer.
“CCA is very excited to again partner with Retail Clinician and Drug Store News to offer a first-rate clinical education congress, delivering timely medical education, policy news, and clinic operation tips,” said Tine Turton-Hansen, executive director of CCA. “In addition to being a very informative and productive event, the RCEC is a terrific opportunity for the CCA to express its sincere appreciation for the health care providers who work in the clinics, without whom we wouldn't be able to achieve our mission of providing high quality and personal care to all patients who walk in the door.”
Last year, attendance for the event surpassed expectations as more than 300 nurse practitioners attended.
In addition to the presentation of The CARE Awards (Clinician Awards for Retail Excellence), which honor outstanding retail clinicians who go above and beyond the call of duty to achieve excellence in patient care, this year’s agenda includes an impressive lineup of speakers and educational sessions.
Presentations include “Communicating with Patients: What Every Healthcare Professional Must Know” by Edward Leigh, founder and director for Center for Healthcare Communication; “CCA: Where are we Currently and Where are we Headed?” by Sandy Ryan, chief nurse practitioner officer for Take Care Health Systems, Kevin Smith, director of clinical services at MinuteClinic and Tine Hansen-Turton, executive director of the CCA; and “Pediatric Pharmacology & Dosing” by Margaret Fitzgerald, president of Fitzgerald Health Education Associates.
Award categories for this year’s CARE Awards include: Headquarters CEO of the Year, Clinical Leadership Award, Lifetime Achievement Award and Three Retail Clinic Unsung Heroes. In addition to the CARE award plaque, winners will be featured on the cover of the Winter 2009 edition of Retail Clinician magazine, and Retail Clinician magazine will make a donation in their names to the charities of their choice.
The 2008 "Unsung Heroes" included Anita Wilson-Powell of Take Care Health Systems, Louise Berndt of Bellin Health Fast Care, Dixie Childers-Bowman of MinuteClinic, and Wendy Wright of Take Care Health. Ryan received the CARE “Leadership” Award and Loretta Ford received the Lifetime Achievement Award.
As of press time, event sponsors included McNeil Consumer Healthcare, a division of McNeil-PPC; Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America; Hylands; Merck & Co.; MinuteClinic; Take Care Health Systems and The Little Clinic.