It was an amazing three days of learning and networking at RISE West 2024 in Colorado Springs. Here are six quotes we’re still thinking about from this year’s sessions.
On finding our hero within
On the 23rd anniversary of 9/11, Heather "Lucky" Penney shared with us her preparation for a suicide mission that day and what it means to be a hero.
“Let us never forget this day…that there are things more important than ourselves. Our purpose is greater than our self-interest. We all belong to something greater—all we have to do is choose. What will you choose? Will you choose to be a hero?”
- Heather “Lucky” Penney, a heroic 9/11 F-16 fighter pilot, during her keynote presentation, Unlocking the Hero Within
On developing your personal brand
“It’s important to have a personal brand. I always wear a suit—people can pick me out in a room. People remember me. You need to have a strategy for career trajectory and a strategy for how you are going to gain influence in your current role. Cultivate your ability to help others make decisions.”
- Dr. Seun Ross, executive director, health equity, Independence Blue Cross, during the Women4Women Brunch N’ Learn panel, Closing the Gap in Health Care Leadership
On moving the needle in patient care to impactful change
“We have to get this right. Social determinants of health, race, ethnicity, value-based care…we have to get it right. We are at a precipice when it comes to leadership in our country. How do we use data to achieve policy change and the will to move it forward?”
- DeAnna Minus-Vincent, president & CEO, The D-velopment Group, Inc., and former executive vice president and chief social justice and accountability officer at RWJ Barnabas Health
“It comes down to two things—first is that we have to remember that we are talking about human beings. These are real people. Not everyone is the same. We have to do right by them. Second, great ideas can come from unexpected places. Diversity is key. There is no reason to not expect greatness from our organizations. We need to challenge ourselves to think big. Get the feedback from the people in the trenches—ask them how we can be better; they have great expertise.”
- Rebecca (Becca) Yanniello, vice president, population health, Regal Medical Group
On member engagement
Members expressed shared frustration with the communication process within their plans, which often requires them to retell their stories each time they speak with a representative.
“The customer service has been great on the phone, but I can never talk to the same person again to follow up. I have to retell the whole back story every time.”
- Elizabeth, a member of a United HealthCare Medicare Advantage health plan, during the patient focus panel
On supporting patients through their health care journey
Hospice nurse Hadley Vlahos shared the invaluable life lessons she’s gained from her hospice patients throughout their end-of-life care.
“I invite health care professionals to not control from a point of care but, rather, to join your patients on their journey.”
- Hadley Vlahos, a hospice nurse, NYT best-selling author, and founder of the Hadley House, during her keynote presentation, A Conversation on End-of-Life Care