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Imperial Valley Health Organization Launched
by Bobbie Wunsch
Community Systems Consultant
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The Imperial Valley Community Health Organization (IVCHO) administrative services went live on January 1, 2000. The staff of nine employees led by Executive Director, Lynn la Caze, reviewed 60 claims on their first day of services. IVCHO has contracts with three health plans to provide medical management and administrative services on behalf of Imperial network providers. The IVCHO is also managing three health promotion and disease prevention grant contracts under the advisement of the Imperial Valley Health Advisory Council. The grants are for Injury and Illness Prevention, Healthy Families Outreach and Telehealth. In addition, IVCHO will manage the local Blood Bank.
On September 15, 1999, the newly constituted IVCHO celebrated with a gala reception at the IVCHO offices, the commencement of Phase III Implementation in the DRIS Initiative. Dr. Horacio Rodiles began the ceremony by acknowledging the partnerships that had been formed through the Health Advisory Council between the Public Health Department, local physicians, clinics and hospitals, social service agencies and employers. He expressed the common optimism of the participants that the creation of the IVCHO will provide the opportunity needed to strengthen the healthcare system in the Valley.
Also speaking that evening was Marty Campbell, of the James Irvine Foundation and Program Director for the DRIS Initiative. She offered congratulations for the efforts of the Health Council and participating providers and organizations who through negotiation and leadership made the necessary compromises and agreements to create a new community owned health organization. She stated: "Success in anything is always dependent on leadership...Leadership is about dreams and persistence. You have demonstrated both here: dreams and persistence, and I salute you all for your great leadership."
Luisa Buada, the Executive Director of CIRHM, together with Marty Campbell, presented the IVCHO with a milestone check from the James Irvine Foundation’s DRIS Initiative for $200,000 to help finance the start-up of the new organization. The members of the Imperial Valley Health Advisory Council were each presented with certificates acknowledging their volunteer work and commitment. Lynn la Caze was commended for her work in bringing the DRIS process to fruition. In all, the reception was a lovely affair.
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© CIRHM