BHF NEWS

UPDATES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE FORUM

Brevard Healthcare Forum Inaugural Community Health Summit

June 4, 2010

Photo credit: Courtesy of National Health Review Magazine

Incoming Executive Committee

The Brevard Healthcare Forum announced its incoming Executive Committee members at the organization’s April meeting. Shawna Serig Kelsch and Chris McAlpine will serve as the Forum’s Chair and Vice Chair, respectively, beginning May 1, 2010.

The Brevard Healthcare Forum serves as the health planning body for Brevard County and seeks to foster collaborative relationships that facilitate the sharing of data and expertise to address the county's most pressing healthcare issues.

Ms. Kelsch, who most recently served as the organization’s Vice Chair, has been an active member of the Forum since 2004, and has served on various committees since joining. Ms. Kelsch is currently employed as the Marketing Director for One Senior Place in Viera and is actively involved in a number of community and charitable organizations.

Mr. McAlpine is Senior Vice President of Professional Services/Administration for Parrish Medical Center in Titusville. He serves as co-coordinator for American Cancer Society's North Brevard Relay for Life, and is a board member of the Central Florida Health Forum, Hospice of St. Francis, the Brevard Symphony and the advisory panel of the American Heart Association.

Keith Lundquist, outgoing Chair, is the Vice President of Planning and Marketing for Health First. Since 2006, Mr. Lundquist has led the board in a number of successful initiatives to help improve the health of the community. Among them are ongoing programs designed to improve Access to Care, combat Childhood Obesity and address Chronic Drinking – priority issues identified by findings from a recent Brevard County community health survey.

A Patient Safety Task Force under the guidance of Mr. Lundquist also has been successful in implementing hospital safety initiatives including coordination of a tobacco-free environment on all Brevard hospital campuses in 2009.

Recently retired Brevard County Health Department Health Director, Heidar Heshmati, M.D., M.P.M, Ph.D., also served as Vice Chair of the committee from 2007-2010.