Ronald A. Paulus, MD, President and CEO of Mission Health, Launches Inaugural H2T Healthcare Quality Conference

ASHEVILLE, N.C., Feb. 17, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Mission Health is bringing together decision makers, front-line clinicians and technology leaders to reimagine how technology will transform healthcare communication, delivery and patient experience. The Asheville, N.C.-based health system is hosting its inaugural H2T Healthcare Quality Conference in partnership with Rock Health and Vocera Communications, Inc., on Monday, June 9 and Tuesday, June 10 at the Grove Park Inn in Asheville.

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"Mission Health is proud to host the first-of-its-kind H2T Healthcare Quality Conference along with two outstanding partners in health," said Ronald A. Paulus, MD, President and CEO of Mission Health. "The interactive nature of H2T will provoke dialogue and allow for an exploration of innovative technologies that will revolutionize healthcare. We are pleased that Rock Health and Vocera are partnering with us as we strive toward our BIG(GER) Aim: to get each patient to the desired outcome, first without harm, also without waste and with an exceptional experience for the patient and family."

More than 200 hospital CEOs, chief quality officers and IT leaders are expected to attend the H2T Healthcare Quality Conference, which will feature renowned keynote speakers. The conference will address topics like redesigning patient rooms, implementing new technologies that empower patients and leveraging technology to improve communication and patient engagement.

"Our goal is to discuss how to harness the vast potential of emerging technologies and process innovations while preserving communication between patients and their caregivers," said William Maples, MD, Senior Vice President and Chief Quality Officer for Mission Health. "We want technology to enhance the patient experience without replacing the human relationship. Communication and relationship building are fundamental to the way we care for our patients."

Rock Health, a full service seed fund based in San Francisco, funds and supports startups building the next generation of technologies transforming healthcare.

"We are thrilled to be partnering with Mission Health to host the inaugural H2T Healthcare Quality Conference and focus on re-humanizing the hospital experience through technology," said Halle Tecco, Co-founder and CEO of Rock Health. "This conference gives healthcare leaders a much-needed forum to power the future of healthcare. Our goal at Rock Health is to help lower the barriers for technology entrepreneurs to bring value and transformation to the healthcare industry. With this conference, Mission Health is opening doors for that transformation that will, ultimately, provide tools to help healthcare professionals improve the care they provide to patients."

Vocera is the leading provider of integrated, intelligent communication solutions for mission-critical mobile environments such as hospitals and health systems. Vocera solutions improve patient-care team communications across the entire care continuum both inside and outside the healthcare facility.

"Our passion at Vocera is to humanize the healthcare experience through innovative communication technologies and solutions," said Bridget Duffy, MD, Chief Medical Officer for Vocera. "We are delighted to partner with Dr. Paulus and Mission Health on this ground breaking conference. Dr. Paulus is a visionary among healthcare leaders who understands that the voice of the patient matters and that improving communication, trust and relationships can improve outcomes and lead to meaningful transformation of our nation's healthcare system."

For more information about the H2T Healthcare Quality Conference, visit www.mission-health.org/H2TConference.

About Mission Health

Mission Health, based in Asheville, N.C., is the state's sixth-largest health system and the region's only not-for-profit, independent community hospital system governed and managed exclusively in western North Carolina. Mission Health was recognized as one of the nation's Top 15 Health Systems in 2012 and 2013 by Thomson Reuters and Truven Health Analytics, respectively. Mission Health is one of only two medium-sized health systems to receive this recognition in 2012 and 2013, and the only health system in North Carolina to achieve that distinction.

Mission Health, which traces its roots in the region back to 1885, operates six hospitals, numerous outpatient and surgery centers, post-acute care provider CarePartners, and the region's only dedicated Level II trauma center. Its medical staff consists of more than 1,000 physicians and is certified in more than 50 medical specialties and sub-specialties. Mission Health has seven Centers of Excellence: Cancer, Heart, Mission Children's Hospital, Neurosciences, Orthopedics, Trauma and Women's Health. Mission Hospital, located in Asheville, is the system's flagship hospital and is licensed for 730 beds. It is the regional referral center for tertiary and quaternary care. It also includes Mission Children's Hospital – the region's only children's hospital. Other Mission Health member hospitals include Angel Medical Center in Franklin, Blue Ridge Regional Hospital in Spruce Pine, Highlands-Cashiers Hospital in Highlands, McDowell Hospital in Marion and Transylvania Regional Hospital in Brevard. With approximately 10,600 employees and 2,000 volunteers, Mission Health is dedicated to improving the health and wellness of the people of western North Carolina. For more information, please visit mission-health.org.

About Rock Health                     

Rock Health is powering the future of the digital health ecosystem, bringing together the brightest minds across disciplines to build better solutions. Rock Health funds and supports startups building the next generation of technologies transforming healthcare.

Rock Health partners include Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Boehringer Ingelheim, Fenwick & West, GE, Genentech, Harvard Medical School, Kaiser Permanente, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, Mayo Clinic, Mohr Davidow Ventures, Montreux Equity Partners, NEA, Ogilvy Public Relations, Qualcomm Life, UnitedHealth Group, and UCSF.

About Vocera

Vocera empowers integrated, intelligent communication for mission-critical mobile environments in healthcare, hospitality, energy, retail, education and more. One of the fastest growing mobile technology companies, Vocera is widely recognized for developing smarter ways to communicate that improve patient and customer satisfaction. Exclusively endorsed by the American Hospital Association, Vocera® Voice Communication, Secure Messaging, and Care Experience solutions are installed in more than 1,000 organizations worldwide. Vocera is headquartered in San Jose, Calif., with offices in Tennessee, Canada, and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit www.vocera.com and @VoceraCom on Twitter.

SOURCE Mission Health