State Profiles

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Wyoming

State Office Director

Ron Pearson, MHA, CFAAMA
(307) 777-6970
ron.pearson@health.wyo.gov

Specialty Areas / Background

Leadership/mentorship. Ron was a Colonel in the United States Air Force and was most recently the Commander of the 90th Medical Group at FE Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, WY.

State Office Director since April, 2008

 

Flex Coordinator

Sharla Allen, MSHA
(307) 777-7293
Sharla.allen@health.wyo.gov

Specialty Areas / Background

Recruitment and Retention; Team Building; Event Planning. Sharla has split her 25 year career between working in rural health and reproductive health in both state government and non-profit organizations.

Flex Coordinator since July 2007

 

Vice President, Wyoming Hospital Association

Steve Bahmer
(307) 632-9344
steve@wyohospitals.com

Specialty Areas / Background

Healthcare Technology; Government Affairs; Professional background and personal interests in communications. Steve has launched a private venture with a partner to utilize that communications background to help professional and student organizations think differently about major strategic issues like leadership, change, and communication.

Vice President, Wyoming Hospital Association since January 2008

 

Program Specialist

Keri Wagner
(307) 777-6512
keri.wagner@health.wyo.gov

Specialty Areas / Background

Rules; Contracts; QHI State Administrator

Program Specialist since June 2009

 

Top Three Flex Activities in 2009

  1. Education

    Nurse Leadership training – Flex dollars support a video conference, 8 module certificate course for nurses who are new to leadership positions. The training is provided through the Laramie County Community College. Enthusiasm for the course is high, and carryover funds supported another round of trainings summer 09. In the 2009 – 2010 grant, the courses will be available to new leaders in departments outside of nursing also.

  2. Quality/Performance Improvement

    Six of WY’s 15 CAHs are participating in the CAH Multi-State Quality and Performance Improvement Project during the 2008 – 2009 Flex grant year. All 15 will participate in the 2009 – 2010 grant year.

  3. Networking

    The Wyoming Critical Access Hospital Network (WCAHN) has gained momentum and is actively participating in the planning the Flex grant application. WCAHN is also pursuing co-op purchasing for several items and services. Flex dollars are also funding a new state-of-the-art web site for WCAHN. WCAHN is in the early stages of designing professional peer networks for CFOs and HR staff in CAHs, based on the best practices program in Idaho.

Flex Program Success Story

"Maximizing Opportunities in CAHs", presented by Mike Bell, CPA and revenue/reimbursement expert. As a result of this training, two Wyoming CAHs have sent their CFO to Mike’s on-site "Boot Camp" for CAH finance and reimbursement.

Most Significant Achievement

Wyoming is the ninth largest state geographically, yet the least populated. The Flex program has provided a need and a means to bring the CAHs together in an organized manner through the development of the Wyoming Critical Access Hospital Network. Leadership at the WCAHN level (CAH CEOs), the Wyoming Hospital Association (which provides day to day leadership to the WCAHN) and the Wyoming Office of Rural Health has made it difficult for the WCAHN to grow. There has been stability within these three organizations for about a year and a half, and the WCAHN is now in a position to pursue meaningful initiatives that provide benefit to its members.

Flex Program Details

Location: Wyoming Department of Health, Rural and Frontier Health Division, Office of Rural Health
Number of CAHs: 15
Web site: http://health.wyo.gov/rfhd/rural/index.html

Rural Assistance Center State Resources