TAMPA, Fla. – (Nov. 2010) – Several of the Tampa Bay region’s top hospital and physician leaders will take part in a panel discussion focused on the impact healthcare legislation will have on the local healthcare industry during the November meeting of the Tampa Bay Association of Health Underwriters (TBAHU).

“It is with continued support of the local healthcare industry that TBAHU has been able to again bring together a panel such prestigious industry leaders,” Kelly Davis, TBAHU president and senior benefits consultant for Lakeland, Fla.-based OMS Group. “The caliber of participants and the enthusiasm of attendees at past panels is testament to the focus both TBAHU and the medical community have placed on advancing improvements in the delivery of healthcare in these changing times.”

Moderating the Nov. 11 panel, sponsored by First Service Administrators, Inc. (FSAI) and Allstate Worksite Division, is Ford Kyes, CEO of ActionCOACH Pinellas and former CEO of St. Anthony’s Hospital. Panel participants are:
• Carl Tremonti, CFO, Morton Plant Mease Health Care
• Madelyn Butler, M.D., president, Florida Medical Association
• Brad Bjornstad, M.D., vice president and chief medical officer (CMO), University Community Hospital
• Braulio Vicente, Jr., senior vice president, Hospital and Physician Group Operations, Moffitt Cancer Center
• Revonda L. Cornell, RN, BSN, MS, Ed. D., FACHE, president, Executive & Clinical Consulting (former CEO/COO, Lakewood Hospital and St. Anthony’s Hospital)

“TBAHU is dedicated to bridging the information gap between providers and the insurance industry during these days of volatile healthcare legislation to promote a unified industry working toward a positive outcome,” said Kathleen Sullivan R.D., immediate past president of TBAHU and executive vice president of Lakeland, Fla.-based FSAI. “By facilitating open discussions of the impact of reform on physicians, hospitals and the Tampa Bay community as a whole, TBAHU fosters continued education of industry leaders and promotes unified industries working together to take proactive and positive steps towards the delivery of better healthcare.”

The panel takes place Thursday, Nov. 11 at the Tampa Marriott Westshore, 1001 N. Westshore Blvd., Tampa. Meeting registration and networking begins at 10:45 a.m. with the panel convening promptly at 11:30 a.m. Lunch will be served. The cost for the lunch meeting is $15 for members and $30 for non-members.

Immediately preceding the general meeting will be a one-hour Continued Education (CE) class on the importance of an employee assistance program, presented by Mary Liz Schwartz of The Holman Group. CE registration begins at 9:30 a.m. and the course begins at 10 a.m. The CE course is free to TBAHU members and $10 for non-members.

Space is limited, and advanced registration is required. For more information or to register, email info@tampabayhealthunderwriters.org.

About TBAHU
Established in 1985 and chartered by the National Association of Health Underwriters (NAHU), TBAHU (www.tampabayhealthunderwriters.org) is a professional association whose membership is comprised primarily of employee benefits professionals, including insurance agents and brokers, insurance company representatives and third party administrative representatives. Members are located throughout Pinellas, Hillsborough and Pasco counties. As a local chapter of NAHU (www.nahu.org), TBAHU members participate in local, state, and federal legislative and public policy development that is of mutual interest to clients, the consuming public, membership and industry. The association also offers programs conducive to the professional and educational development of its membership.