Welcome to the New Year with MHSCN! 

First, a brief introduction - I'm Mary Beth Schwartz, the communications manager at the Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement (ICSI), located in Bloomington. 

For more than 20 years, ICSI's medical group and hospital members, sponsoring health plans, and other stakeholders, have collaborated to improve the quality and value of health care. The Triple Aim of better care, better health and lower cost guides all that we do.

As MHSCN's president this year, one of my areas of focus will be trying new things - kind of a Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) process - to boost the value of your membership. We have several things in the works, including a new and more functional website, enhanced member's-only benefits, and more networking and learning opportunities. 

We have a committed, energetic board that's working hard to make 2017 a banner year for MHSCN! 

To start, we have our first networking event - a hands-on, healthy cooking class - coming up quickly, on Monday, February 6. Spots are limited, so read more about it below and register today!

We're also in full swing putting together another excellent spring conference, set for Thursday, April 27 at International Market Square in Minneapolis. Watch for more information about the program and registration details in the near future.

Get the recognition you deserve!

On the conference agenda will be our annual awards ceremony, where we recognize the excellent work of you and your Minnesota colleagues with MHSCN's Award of Excellence. New this year is a discount for multiple submissions! Nominations are open through February 28. Read more below, or visit our website for all the details.

Beginnings and endings

To close, I want to thank Angela Churchill for her leadership in 2016, and welcome our four new board members: 

• Sue Haberle, Programs
  
• Kristi Hamilton, Awards
  
• Rebecca Kindall Nelson, Webmaster
  
• Paul Fiore, Communications. 
  

We appreciate their willingness to step up and help the organization move forward. 

We also have two openings: Treasurer and Communications Co-Chair. Please consider joining us in our efforts to bring Minnesota health care marketing and communications professionals together for networking, learning and fun. 

Contact me at mbschwartz@icsi.org to discuss either of these opportunities, or just to say hello.

I look forward to seeing you at an event this year!