GetWellNetwork Hosts Third Annual User Conference

Influential Health Care Leaders Brian Robinson and Gerard van Grinsven to Present Keynote Sessions


BETHESDA, MD--(Marketwire - April 26, 2010) -  GetWellNetwork, Inc. today announced the third annual GetConnected User Conference will be held April 28-30, 2010 at the Gaylord National Hotel and Conference Center in National Harbor, Maryland. GetConnected 2010 -- attracting a record 85% of client attendees -- brings together a community of health care innovators, clients and partners to share best practices and new strategies to improve the lives of patients, families and clinical caregivers. This year, special sessions will be available for attendees to understand the nuances of the health care reform legislation and learn how to use GetWellNetwork's interactive patient care (IPC) system to comply with new regulatory requirements.

Keynote Presentations
Distinguished keynote speakers Brian Robinson, executive vice president of Studer Group, and Gerard van Grinsven, president and chief executive officer of Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital, will share their expertise and provide insight into how they have helped their hospitals achieve excellence in patient satisfaction and outcomes. 

Mr. Robinson brings 25 years of health care experience and under his leadership, his hospitals were listed eight consecutive years in the enviable "Top 100 Hospitals" list. He has also been appointed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services to serve as a technical advisor to CMS and will speak on the topic of "HCAHPS: Positioning Your Hospital in an Era of Pay for Performance." 

Prior to being named chief executive of the Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital, Mr. van Grinsven amassed more than two decades of global leadership experience in the luxury hospitality industry and was a key member of the team that earned the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award in 1999 for the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company. Mr. van Grinsven will share why "Taking Health and Healing Beyond the Boundaries of Imagination" should be a priority for hospitals today.

"GetWellNetwork is excited to host our annual conference that brings together a community of health care leaders and caregivers to exchange ideas and learn how we can all provide better patient experiences that lead to long-term well-being," said Michael O'Neil, CEO of GetWellNetwork, Inc. "It's inspiring to know that so many are attending this year's conference to gain practical knowledge that will help make a difference in the care of their patients."

The popular Learning Lab will provide hands-on training for everyone from beginner to advanced level users and a session led by the Chief Financial Officer of Winchester Medical Center on "The Economic Linkage to Interactive Patient Care" will show hospitals how they can evaluate and determine the ROI of interactive patient care projects by looking at the correlation of quality and service improvements to overall hospital financial performance. He will also share the results of Winchester's retail strategies and how interactive patient care will position the organization for CMS' upcoming pay for performance programs.

Additionally, since being named a national health priority by NQF in 2008, hospitals are faced with new regulations, policies and payment provisions that require a more interactive patient experience. To lead the discussion on how hospitals can develop an effective strategy for patient-centered care delivery is a leadership roundtable led by Chief Nursing Officers of Christiana Care Health Systems, Winchester Medical Center and Chief Operating Officer of St. Joseph Mercy Oakland, and moderated by Chief Nursing Officer of University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.

Sponsors this year include: Curbell, The Daisy Award, Interactive Care Network, JAOtech, KidsHealth®, LG, Medcalm Channel®, Nelson Mullins®, Milner Fenwick, Optimum Lightpath®, Swank HealthCare, and Wired MD®.

For more information, please visit http://www.getwellnetwork.com/conference

About GetWellNetwork
GetWellNetwork, Inc. uses the bedside TV to entertain, educate and empower hospital patients and caregivers to be more actively engaged in their care. This patient-centered approach improves both satisfaction and outcomes for patients and hospitals. GetWellNetwork is the leader in interactive patient care solutions and exclusively endorsed by the American Hospital Association. More information about GetWellNetwork can be found at www.GetWellNetwork.com.

Contact Information:

Media Contact:
Jenny Song
(703) 338-8434