The Panuska Healthcare Summit: A Vision of 2020 Greatness brought together leaders from throughout northeast Pennsylvania to envision health care in the region in 2020.

Health care and community leaders joined with faculty and students from the Panuska College of Professional Studies to begin to “think through complex issues,” said summit organizer Daniel J. West, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Health Administration and Human Resources Department at The University of Scranton, in his opening remarks. “We are at the beginning of a journey to move health care in this region from good to great.”

The summit, which will convene annually, included presentations, a panel discussion and the formation of subcommittees to address key “pillars of excellence” that affect health care. The pillars address the health care transformation occurring and the resources needed to further develop and sustain an effective health care system in the region; patient out-migration for services; economic renewal and innovation in the area; talent recruitment and retention; and philanthropy.

William M. Dwyer, a nationally recognized health care executive and founder of a Kansas City-based consulting firm, said in the summit’s opening presentation that the current situation of health care – the health care reform legislation, industry growth, escalation of chronic health concerns in the general population – represent a call to action.

“We want a better place for the next generation,”said Dwyer. “For the first time since World War II, children will have a lower standard of living than their parents.”

Dwyer said that greatness is not based on circumstances, but is rather the result of choices.

“The Panuska Summit is getting leaders together to work to meet the challenges we face,” said Dwyer.

Scranton Mayor Chris Doherty echoed this sentiment during his remarks in the panel discussion that followed Dwyer’s presentation.

“We create our own future. People make choices on where to live and where to raise their children,” said Mayor Doherty.  “As a community, we embrace the future.”

Panelists joining Mayor Doherty were Leo M. Hartz, M.D., MHM, vice president and interim chief medical officer for Blue Cross of Northeastern PA; Patrick Leahy, Ed.D., executive vice president at The University of Scranton; Robert M. D’Alessandri, M.D., president and dean The Commonwealth Medical College; and Karen M. Murphy, Ph.D., chief executive officer, Moses Taylor Hospital.

The conference also included a lunchtime presentation by Dennis J. Kain, FACHE, president of Tyler and Company, Inc.  The Panuska Healthcare Summit was supported by a grant from the Scranton Area Foundation and a U.S. Department of Education grant awarded to The University of Scranton to support health-profession education and training targeting the local community. The funding stems from grants made available through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2009.