Blogs, Facebook, RPC coverage – there’s a lot going on at JHC
By Graham Garrison, Managing Editor
I’m a news junky. In the “old days” that meant I’d spend hours sifting through newspapers, periodicals and of course magazines. Websites made it easier to bounce around from outlet to outlet, even compare the work of various beat reporters. Now, on my smart phone, I’ve got a few apps that track news in real time for me, so when reporters and news outlets release a story, I’ve got an instant update. When they Tweet from a press conference (or game, if it’s a sporting event) I’ve got that too.
Let’s face it, the news cycle has evolved into one that feeds readers and viewers on a daily, if not hourly, basis. As such, The Journal of Healthcare Contracting has adapted in 2010 with a portfolio of online products. To date, JHC has released:
- A monthly digital issue to go along with its print editions.
- A Facebook page (Search: The Journal of Healthcare Contracting) regularly updated with industry and healthcare news, leadership tips and articles, links to related topics, as well as sneak peeks of upcoming content from the printed issues.
- A Twitter account (@ContractingNews) that offers a real-time feed to the top stories among hospitals and health systems.
JHC is taking it one step further by expanding its content offering to include a regularly updated blog at Blog.JHConline.com
Some of the Blog features will include:
Guest columns from industry thought leaders. Topics will include best practices of the hospital and health system supply chain, leadership and self management, data standardization and other hot topics, from writers such as:
- Dan Nielsen, Founder, National Institute for Healthcare Leadership
- Fred Crans, Area Vice President, North & West, ECRI Institute
- Robert T. Yokl, Chief Value Strategist, Strategic Value Analysis In Healthcare
- Updates from current and previous Ten People to Watch
Updates on healthcare reform. Although the legislation has passed, court battles are just underway, as is implementation. In some blogs we’ll expand upon a View from Washington column, such as this past JHC August issue, where Robert Betz went in-depth with what regulations may come about from healthcare reform.
News and analysis. Each week JHC’s blog will post links to national, regional and local healthcare news from media outlets across the country, including opinion columns and analysis from both aisles of political thought.
Sneak Peeks. JHC readers will get a preview of content for upcoming digital and printed magazines, including blurbs, quotes and sections from feature articles.
From the Editor’s Desk. Want to know how we came to a decision on cover stories, features and other news items? We’ll offer insight and more “From the Editor’s Desk.”
Regional Purchasing Coverage
This summer, JHC helped put on the first-ever Hospital Coalition Seminar. This was a chance for hospitals and health systems, GPOs and vendors to meet under one roof and discuss and share their experience with these RPCs, whether as part of one or doing business with one. Those presenting included Bud Bowen, former president and CEO of Amerinet; Calvin Wright, vice president, supply chain, Catholic Healthcare Partners, and part of the Catholic Contracting Group; Robin Lincoln, director of group purchasing, WNC Health Network; ROi Vice President Larry Dooley; and Rosaline Parsons, corporate director of supply chain services for Orlando Health, part of Healthcare Purchasing Alliance. We’ve compiled our coverage into a magazine available with preview, and registration, at www.jhconline.com