Communication Networks

To promote information sharing, educational opportunities, and peer-to-peer networking among Michigan Community Health Center staff, Michigan Primary Care Association facilitates a variety of Communication Networks. Members participate in conference calls, webinars, face-to-face meetings, and electronic listserves to discuss issues, share best practices, learn from each other and outside experts, and problem solve.

Advocacy Network:

Open to one staff member and one board member of each Health Center
Meets quarterly via conference call or webinar
Provides a forum where advocacy issues can be discussed, tools can be shared, and questions can be answered
Members help recruit new advocates, retain existing advocates, and educate their colleagues / co-workers on the importance of advocacy, the issues important to Community Health Centers, and the critical need for taking action when called upon

MPCA Staff Liaison: Dana Hughes, Communications Manager

Behavioral Health Network:

Open to clinicians and clinical administrators of behavioral health services
Meets monthly via conference call
Addresses the unique challenges of integrating behavioral health services into the primary care setting
Provides opportunities for ongoing continuing education through conferences

MPCA Staff Liaison: Rebecca Cineki, Director of Policy & Planning

Billing Managers Network:

Open to member Health Centers' billing managers
Meets bi-monthly via conference call and/or a face-to-face meeting
Discusses wide-ranging topics from Medicare Advantage Plans to collection policies and payment plans
Maintains an electronic listserve for sharing/soliciting billing best practices

MPCA Staff Liaison: Matt Herwaldt, Accounting Manager

Clinicians Network:

Open to all member Health Centers' providers
Maintains an electronic listserve for sharing/soliciting billing best practices
Hosts an annual spring conference

MPCA Staff Liaison: Laverne Wiley, Quality Improvement Consultant, Barb Whitlow, Program Specialist

Finance Officers Network:

Open to member Health Centers' finance officers
Meets regularly via conference call to discuss a wide range of finance-related issues
Holds an annual spring and fall finance workshops
Contributes agenda for MPCA Annual Conference
Archives discussions, related materials, and presentations

MPCA Staff Liaison: Patrick Burke, Financial/Operations Director

Human Resources Network:

Open to all member Health Centers' human resources staff
Meets monthly via conference call
Maintains an electronic listserve for sharing/soliciting human resources best practices

MPCA Staff Liaison: Rebecca Cienki, Director of Policy & Planning

Marketing Network:

Open to all member Health Centers' marketing/public relations staff
Meets bi-monthly via conference call
Discusses marketing best practices
Serves as source of information about each member Health Center's accomplishments, events, happenings

MPCA Staff Liaison: Dana Hughes, Communications Manager

Migrant Health Network:

Open to executive directors and/or designated staff of Michigan Migrant Health Centers (MHCs), as well as individuals representing organizations with which MHCs closely work
Meets quarterly via conference call

MPCA Staff Liaison: Lynda Meade, Program Manager

Operations Officers Network:

Open to all member Health Center's operations staff
Meets as needed via conference call
Maintains an electronic listserve for sharing/soliciting clinical best practices
Maintains an online directory of shared materials