Board of Directors Position Openings
FOR PERSONS WITH PROFESSIONAL BUSINESS EXPERIENCE IN AND/OR KNOWLEDGE OF MANAGED LONG-TERM CARE PROGRAMS
The Northwest Long-Term Care District Board of Directors is charged to create, govern, and operate a unique regional public managed long-term care business to more efficiently and effectively serve the neediest adult frail elderly and developmentally or physically disabled persons in our 11-county District.
These two open at-large director seats on our board are specifically designated to be filled by qualified persons with extensive professional experience in and/or working knowledge of capitated managed-care business operations in a publicly funded setting. Ideally, their experience/ knowledge should include capitated programs delivering a range of home and institutional long-term managed care services to persons in one or more of our three target service groups.
The specialized experiences and/or extensive knowledge these two directors bring to the board will afford managed-care business expertise and insights as a needed complement to the perspectives contributed by the 11 county and five consumer directors on the 18-member board. Candidates must be full-time residents in the 11-county district.
The board plans to select and appoint qualified applicants to these directorships in early 2010. The term of office is three years. The board meets once a month and directors receive a meeting per diem payment and travel expense coverage. Interested applicants should promptly request and complete an application along with a cover letter stating their interest and documenting their qualifications for serving in their specialized role.
Application packets are available from the Board Office, 15954 River’s Edge Drive, Suite 300, Hayward, WI 54843
(715) 934-2266
New DHS Administrator Crowley Visits Hayward Headquarters
She had been in her new job for only 2 months, but Susan Crowley, Administrator of the Division of Long Term Care for the Division of Health Services (DHS), graciously accepted an invitation to visit Northern-Bridges to learn more about the organization.
"I think that speaks volumes about her commitment to Family Care and her view of the importance of the role of the partnership between the state and the MCOs," said David Wllingham, NW-LTCD Board Chair who also met with Crowley.
Value-Based Organization
"I think we had a very good meeting, said John McMahon, Northern-Bridges CEO. "We had three goals--to explain that we are a young and capable business; that we are unique; and that we are a value-based organization where values are not just framed and hanging on the wall, but part of our everyday operations."
The message appeared well-received. "It is so good to come to an organization that leads with its values," she said. "It says a lot about how you deliver services and treat each other."
Challenges Ahead
The challenges NorthernBridges face were addressed, including budget deficits that new MCO's initially incur.
Crowley acknowledged the "enormity of the rate and pace" of an 11-county roll-out in just four months and the hurdles ahead.
"Our primary goal has to be on how we stabilize Family Care for those already there, and build a sustainable model," said Crowley. "The challenges, especially financial, are not insurmountable. We will learn together. NorthernBridges' experience will help shape Family Care as it evolves."
New Administrator of the Division of Long-Term Care Susan Crowley, center, visited NorthernBridges headquarters on October 28. Giving her an overview of business operations were: Brian Ahlgren, Chief Financial Officer, and Janelle Gruetzmacher, Human Resources Manager. Back row, left to right: John McMahon, CEO; Russ Lutz, Operations Manager; Maureen Kenney, Care Management Officer; and Jason Kohl, Manager of Technology Services.
Final Hub Opening in Ashland
At the end of their opening months in May, the Superior and Rice Lake hubs held "hub warmings" to mark the expansion of Family Care in their counties and recognize the agencies that helped make it happen. At the end of June, it was Spooner's and Centuria's turn, in July came Ladysmith, and in August came Park Falls and Hayward. The Ashland hub warming was moved back due to contruction delays, but finally had its big day on October 2. Now all hubs are "officially" up and running and invite you to visit anytime.
Click here for more:
Ashland photos
Rice Lake photos
Superior photos
Spooner photos
Centuria photos
Ladysmith photos
Park Falls Photos
Hayward Photos
At the Rice Lake hub warming, ribbon cutting duties were handled by (left to right) Mary Updike and Erin Owens, IDT Leads; John McMahon, CEO; and Board members David Willingham, Ken Mosentine, Jay Hands, and Mike Linton.
Cutting the ribbon at the Superior hub warming were IDT Leads Priscilla Manisto (left) and Marcia Gurno. Backing them up were the entire Superior crew, John McMahon, and Board members David Willingham and Jack Sweeney.
To see more hub photos, click here.
NorthernBridges Successful in Family Care Expansion
9/10/09 Press Release
It has been a busy summer for NorthernBridges. The new managed care organization (MCO) recently completed the opening of its eighth “hub” office, which delivers Family Care to 11 counties in northwest Wisconsin.
To read entire press release, click here.
State and NorthernBridges Sign Contract for
Family Care
5/1/09 Press Release
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services and NorthernBridges have reached agreement on a Family Care program contract effective May 1, 2009, through December 31, 2009.
“What is about to happen is really remarkable after so many months and years of planning and preparing,” said John T. McMahon, NothernBridges’ CEO. “We have reached the summit of an incredibly challenging and rewarding journey to think, dare, and do a public Family Care managed care organization. Our board of directors, staff, business partners, stakeholders of every sort including counties, legislators, advocates, clients, and others, have worked long and hard for this day to arrive.”
To read entire press release click here.
Hiring Continues to Go Well
May, 2009
NorthernBridges hit all its target dates to fill the positions needed to open for business on May 1.
"As we focused on the Rice Lake and Superior hubs to be ready for the May 1 opening date along with the Spooner and Polk County hubs for the June 1 opening date," said Gruetzmacher, "we are now concentrating on hiring for the July and August opening dates."
NorthernBridges has received 680 applications. To date, 294 individuals have been interviewed and 104 have been offered positions and hired, with start dates from now through August 1.
"We would encourage anyone interested in open positions to visit the "Careers" section of our website or to call our Human Resources Office at 715-934-2266 ext. 1114 or 1120," said Grueztmacher. "We would appreciate the opportunity to discuss our hiring timelines, open positions, and answer any questions."
Lots to Do When You're New
April, 2009
New employees spend their first weeks at the Hayward headquarters. There’s lots to do from orientation day to the day they head off to their new offices. Orientation meetings, attending a Board meeting, Family Care Training, Enterprise/IT training, and just getting to know everyone makes the month fly.
The board meeting and board members truly impressed me,” said Karen Johnson, SSCM. “I really felt supported as an employee.”
“I have started new jobs in the past and wondered what I had gotten myself into,” joked Gayle Frambs, behavioral health specialist, “but NorthernBridges is everything and more than I hoped it would be.”
The employee orientation “surge” will continue monthly through August.
Below: the first "class" poses for a graduation photo with
the Hayward staff.
First Member Enrolled!
April, 2009
Enrollment coordinator Glenda Tesmer had been on the job only 3 days when she found herself the center of a celebration--complete with confetti. Glenda successfully enrolled NorthernBridges’ first
member into the Enterprise system on April 9 amid the cheers of Hayward staff.
|
