Issues that have dominated the healthcare industry in 2004 have set the tone for what to expect in 2005, states Francis Afram-Gyening, who begins his one-year term as president of the South Florida Healthcare Executive Forum (SFHEF) beginning January 1st. The SFHEF is a 32-year-old organization and an independent chapter of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE.)
“We can expect the same trend of continual erosion and cut of federal and state funding for essential projects. The federal government will continue its piecemeal approach in solving the healthcare crisis,” Afram-Gyening said. “The pundits will continue to debate the most effective and efficient approaches to address the estimated 45 million Americans without health insurance without any meaningful solutions emerging.”
Afram-Gyening added that the biggest challenges currently facing health care would remain for the foreseeable future. These include reimbursement issues, especially pertaining to Medicare, Medicaid, and bad debt; personnel shortages, such as those among registered nurses, imaging technicians, and physician-surgical specialists; and care for the uninsured and underinsured.
But Afram-Gyening remains optimistic that healthcare professionals will find innovative ways to handle the constant healthcare challenges that rest ahead.
Afram-Gyening brings a unique perspective to health care. A naturalized citizen of United States, he graduated magna cum laude with a bachelors degree in accounting from York College and a masters degree in public health from Columbia University in New York City.
“After I received my undergraduate degree, I was hired by the New York City Department of Health as a public health advisor for the Bureau of Tuberculosis,” he said. “The job rekindled my interest and passion for health policy and management and I decided to seek an advanced degree in public health to enhance my understanding of the healthcare issues and to make meaningful policies.”
Afram-Gyening came to Florida nearly six years ago to accept a key position with Economic Opportunity Family Health Center, (EOFHC) Inc., in Miami. The organization is an accredited, 15-site not-for-profit health center that serves a multicultural and multilingual population with high levels of infectious diseases and chronic illnesses. While there, Afram-Gyening helped EOFHC achieve several milestones and national recognition for its programs and services, including its first ever Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations accreditation survey.
He also assisted the organization to increase capacity and healthcare access through additional grant funds for existing and new programs. During his tenure, Economic Opportunity Family Health Center financed and renovated a 35,000-square-foot medical office building and 25-unit residential treatment center for women with substance abuse issues.
In October, 2003, Afram-Gyening joined Memorial Healthcare System in Hollywood, Florida, one of the most efficiently run and financially viable healthcare systems in the country, as director of operations for Primary Care Services. The Memorial Primary Care Services offer compassionate medical care for residents in South Broward County who cannot afford health insurance or are underinsured.
“The most satisfying part of my job is to see the smiles on the patients faces and hearing the words “thank you” after assisting them to access primary care services,” said Afram-Gyening.
Such a desire to be helpful will serve Afram-Gyening well in his position with SFHEF. The Forum provides healthcare executives with opportunities for professional development through educational and social activities.
“I am excited about this opportunity,” said Afram-Gyening. “I have prepared myself for the position since I joined the Forum. I am glad to be part of a progressive professional association and I plan to use the platform to encourage diversity and mentor future leaders.”
According to Afram-Gyening, the SFHEF will continue to raise awareness of significant healthcare issues. The Forum offers networking and educational sessions during the year. This year, the Forum provided seminars on childrens healthcare issues, the Florida professional liability insurance crisis, Stark Regulations, and healthcare leadership—approaching 2010.
“The Forum affords us the opportunity to stay current of the latest developments in the industry and to meet with others who share our professional goals and aspirations,” he said. “It is imperative to attract new leaders with vision and creativity to address the recurring challenges in the industry.”
Afram-Gyening is qualified to lead SFHEF in 2005. He serves on the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) Southern Florida Regents Advisory Council, is a Florida licensed healthcare risk manager, an adjunct faculty member for St. Thomas Universitys B.A. in health care services program, and a guest lecturer for Florida International Universitys health administration program. Recently, he was awarded the ACHE Early Career Health Care Executive Award and appointed by the Brothers of Good Shepherd as vice president of the board of directors for the Camillus Health Concern, Inc., a nonprofit organization which provides comprehensive healthcare services to the homeless in Miami-Dade County.
Post Views: 878
