2023 Health Care Forum Panelists Share Same Concerns About Staffing, Technology and More at 5th Annual Health Care Forum

Orange County Business Council hosts panel of leading Orange County health care executives IRVINE, CA (August 17, 2023) — CEOs and top executives from Orange County hospitals and health care systems discussed continuing investments, innovations in care and research, and critical issues impacting the nation’s sixth largest county at the fifth annual Orange County Business Council (OCBC) Health Care Forum, “Orange County: Innovating Health Care” August 16 in Newport Beach. Panelists included President and Chief Executive Officer of MemorialCare Barry Arbuckle, Ph.D., Senior Vice President and Chief Clinical Institutes Officer of Hoag Teresa Conk, Chief Nurse Executive of Kaiser Permanente Orange County Dr. Wendy Cortez, Chief Executive of Providence, South Division and OCBC board member Laureen Driscoll, Chief Executive Officer of UCI Health Chad Lefteris, and President of City of Hope Orange County Annette M. Walker, M.H.A. Chief Administrative Officer of City of Hope Orange County and OCBC board member Annette Morgan, MBA was the title sponsor presenter. Panelists discussed the risks and benefits of AI in healthcare. For physicians, panelists don’t believe that AI will take away doctors’ jobs. In fact, they’re finding that AI is reducing doctor fatigue, for instance. On the patient side, AI is providing early detection for multiple conditions. And, while AI also improves documentation and administrative work, the consequences of risks must be weighed carefully if AI is to align with the human element. As for how the health care industry continues to respond to the labor shortage, executives agreed that hospitals and systems must remain creative, such as offering positions on the spot at job fairs. The most concerning intersection of all, however, was the lack of affordable housing for workers. The work that many do in hospitals is not easy work, yet to tack on a long commute is troublesome. In the end, panelists agreed that theirs is a humanity business where caring is at the core. Title sponsor of the 2023 Health Care Forum was City of Hope Orange County. Platinum sponsor was Hoag, while gold sponsors included CalOptima Health, Kaiser Permanente, MemorialCare, Providence, and UCI Health; silver sponsors included American Career College-West Coast University, Chapman University and CHOC. About Orange County Business Council For over 25 years, Orange County Business Council (OCBC) has been representing and promoting the region’s business community together with government and academia to enhance the economic development of the nation’s sixth largest county. The Council’s core initiatives include advocating for adequate investment in regional and statewide infrastructure, education development that leads to a competitive workforce, advocating for a range of housing, and developing pro-business solutions that lead to sustainable economic growth. Members include businesses and local organizations representing a diverse cross section of industries including biomedical, construction, education, financial services, health care, manufacturing, municipalities, nonprofit, real estate, technology, tourism, transportation, real estate and utilities. For more information, visit ocbc.org. Media Contact: Lizz Mishreki, APR Vice President of Communications Orange County Business Council [email protected]